Steven J. Kunasek, Jr., “Coach K”
October 28, 1932 – January 19, 2019
Former Coach and Teacher at Gross High School. Preceded in death by wife, Donna Mae Kunasek. Survived by sons: Steven (Candie K. Blanchard), Patrick, Michael, and Daniel; daughter, Linda Kunasek; six grandchildren; sister, Rosemary Lawson. 
VISITATION begins Saturday, Jan. 26th at 10am at the West Center Chapel, followed by MEMORIAL SERVICE at 11am. Interment, Calvary Cemetery with military honors by Benson VFW Post 2503. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Gross High School.
13 Comments
Sorry to hear of his passing , we worked together on the CBQ RR back in the 1960’s and he was great easy going and dependable and just a great person in every way..
I am so sorry to read of your Father’s passing. Our neighborhood was better because of your Mom and Dad! May God Bless the souls of your parents as they are once again united in the glory of our Lord. .I pray that the entire Kunasek Family family is able find comfort in this time of grief.
My sympathy and prayers for all of you as you mourn the absence of your father from this earth.He was a coach and teacher at St. Joseph’s High School during my era. We loved that he would always come to our reunions, if available. He was a good man. He is still with you in all your memories of him. Continue to tell the stories over and over; make sure your children know them, too.
Be assured of my prayers for your dad and for all of you.
I knew Steve because of his son, Mike – affectionately known as K2 by Yellowstone Park Medical Services. Mike is an incredibly intelligent, thoughtful & talented man and after we met Steve, we knew why. Steve was a worthy patriarch of his family. He shared that calm wisdom with all of Lake Hospital during his short visits. An extremely fine man who set a worthy example for all of us. The world is poorer by his passing.
Rest in peace. He touched so many lives during his teaching and coaching years. Brought the best out of all who knew him. First met him as freshman at St. Joseph’s High School, his first assignment. Coached all sports, Athletic Director, teacher( no homerooms), and dedicated family man. Many fond memories of road trips, tense basketball games, and classroom justice and wisdom. Nicest guy I have known, you will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man and teacher. He was respected by everyone at St Joseph High and touched all of our lives. Thoughts and prayers to all of his family. Have so many fond memories always made history class interesting with basketball plays. RIP Coach!
A great man – great family! Thinking of you all during this difficult time!
To Coach K’s Family: It is with great sadness and my deepest condolences I send to you & your families as I learned of Steve’s passing.
Steve was my mentor as a coach and teacher. My 1st job was @ Gross and my 1st coaching position was with Steve on the freshmen level. Steve took me under his wing and taught me so much. He taught me what it takes to be successful on the field, court & classroom. He was a man who was tough, caring, demanding, fair-minded, & a man of principle who stood by his convictions. While he demanded excellence, he was fair-minded and his players always knew he cared for them.d
Steve gave me the foundation to be a better coach, teacher & person. It is with deep gratitude that I say
” Thank you Steve. Job well done”. You have had a major impact on the lives of your players, students, teachers like you.
You can and should be extremely proud of your Dads Legacy.
Jerry Shank
I was one of the many students at St. Joseph High School whose education and life was enhanced by the Coach. Our best wishes and condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Coach.
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. I had the privilege to work with Mike during the summers at Yellowstone. Steve’s summer visits were a wonderful addition to our “Yellowstone Family”. He was a true gentleman! Thinking of all of the Kunasek Family during this difficult time.
The Kunasek Family: I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear father. I was a student at St. Joseph High and he was the greatest teacher and coach. Everyone loved him. I worked at the Union Pacific for his cousin, Carol Bronson, who also was the most wonderful boss in the world. She also was loved by all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Rest in peace. I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I graduated from Gross HS in 1973, the 2nd class in the building. Steve touched so many lives of the students in his time at our school. I had the privilege and honor of playing varsity basketball for “Coach K” for three years. I returned to Gross in 1985 to start my high school coaching career. Steve and I were paired together to coach the Freshman football team. I loved coaching with him and just enjoying his company. I loved hearing the “fabled stories” that were always mixed with his great sense of humor! Everyone in the Gross High family “loved” Coach Kunasek! He will always be near and dear to all of our hearts because of the way he conducted his life! He was a great man, a caring father, and a respected coach! My best wishes and condolences to his family. Rest in peace Coach K! Mike Filipowicz
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May the Father comfort you and grant you His peace. I had the honor and privilege of working for Coach K as one of the student managers for the varsity basketball and track teams from 1972-1974 at Gross High School. Coach K was a second father to me. He encouraged me to think for myself, trusted my decisions about completing assigned tasks, and never held back a ‘Job well done’. I was always treated as a valuable member of the teams that he coached. I will forever remember Coach K. Rest In Peace, Coach.
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