Support Trent Kunz's Family
Donation protected
**UPDATE**
Looking out at all the faces of everyone who came to Trent's memorial and celebration of life a few weeks ago really touched me. Thank you for those who were able to come and honor him, and for those who were sending their love from afar. I felt how much Trent made an impact in SO many people's lives. We are 75% of the way to our goal in supporting Kristi and her boys. Thank you all so much for your support, and please share this, if you are able, to get us over the finish line for them.
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Our community has lost a hero. Trent Kunz, Prairie High School star football player of 1988 passed away on February 13, 2023. Many people in the community were present at that fateful playoff game when, at 16 years old, he was injured during a play and had to be airlifted off the field. Trent suffered a neck injury resulting in paralysis from the shoulders down. His life was forever changed. One minute he was living his dream, and the next he was informed that he would be living his life as a quadriplegic.
Although he lost so much that day, he didn't lose his determination, cheerfulness, or positivity. He finished high school, went to college, got married, and continued on to earn a law degree at UCLA. He then returned to Vancouver where he set up a small law firm specializing in wills and estates. He and his wife had two boys, Nathan and Jonny. His wife, Kristi, was his full-time nurse. She spent over 20 years lifting him, showering him, feeding him, dressing him, driving him, loving him and supporting him. He was her world.
Because Trent's accident happened at age 16, he never qualified for state disability assistance. Had he chosen not to work, some government assistance would have been available, but he wanted to be able to provide for his family and be an example to his boys of how to carry on and succeed despite challenges. He had a very strong work ethic as well as a strong desire to help others. His volunteer work included coaching football and running strength-training sessions for high-school athletes. He made everyone feel special, always offering encouragement and instilling confidence in others. He and his family overcame insurmountable odds. Everyone wanted to be around him. His death is a huge loss.
With his passing, his wife is left with no medical insurance for herself and her boys, no income, mounting medical bills from prior hospitalizations and an uncertain future as a woman who has spent her life dedicated to providing for Trent's physical needs.
This gofundme is to help Trent's family with the funds to help them with medical and funeral costs and to help them with their day-to-day expenses until they can get back on their feet. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support.
Here's a link to a story done on Trent by the Oregonian in 2011.
And another story on him by the Columbian in 2016.
Organizer and beneficiary
Courtenay Evans
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
Kristi Kunz
Beneficiary
