K.B. Trunkey, lifelong St. John resident, passed away at his home Monday night, November 20, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. He was 71. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, November 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John High School Gymnasium. Kenneth Bill Trunkey was the youngest of 6 children born to Douglas and Rebecca Nelson Trunkey. He was born in Colfax and grew up in St. John where he attended all 12 grades. During high school K.B. worked at the Tick-Klock Drug Store. He graduated in 1964 and went on to attend two years at Eastern Washington University where he studied chemistry with the idea of becoming a pharmacist. The Vietnam War interrupted K.B.'s plans and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving in Thailand, Guam, Okinawa and other places as a hydraulics mechanic on B-52 and C-135 planes. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and returned home to St. John. K.B. bought the St. John Machine Shop from his dad and began a very long career in the shop in St. John. He married Brenda FitzGerald in St. John on January 25, 1975. They raised three daughters, Katherine, Kenille, and Kristen, and enjoyed many family trips to the ocean; specifically Pacific Beach, Washington. K.B. loved to spend time with his family, fishing trips to Rock Lake, cutting down their own Christmas trees, or going to the Blue Mountains were some of their favorite activities. He was a Rainbow Dad many times over, was very active as a Master Mason and member of Eastern Star. He belonged to the Jay-Cee's in St. John, St. John Gun Club, and the St. John Golf and Country Club. He was a very hard worker, a strong and stoic man, with a great sense of humor. Fishing with his buddies or shooting clay pigeons were some of K.B.'s favorite things to do when he wasn't working. He liked doing harvest work for area farmers, served his community in many ways; including on City Council and a stint as the town's mayor. He was very active in the St. John Fire Department having started as the "youngest" member of the team and retiring as the "oldest" member. He had served as Chief of the department, secretary/treasurer for many years, and was instrumental in the beginnings of St. John's first EMT program. After selling the machine shop in 1986, K.B. became head of maintenance for the St. John School. He retired after many years with the school in 2009 or so. He will be missed by many in the community but especially by his wife of 42 years, Brenda, at their home; by his three daughters, Katherine Trunkey (Hedley Robertson) of Seattle, Kenille (Kevin) Harrell of Visalia, CA., and Kristen Trunkey (Mike Sae-ung) of Everett, WA; his grandson, Brock Harrell of Visalia; and by a brother, Don Trunkey (Jane) of Colfax and a sister, Sandie Trunkey of Soap Lake, WA. K.B. was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Gary, Roger (David), and Jay. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the St. John Fire Department, the Trunkey Scholarship Fund at the St. John School, or the St. John Community Building. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.