E.W. Gunkel

On September 22nd, 2025, our father, husband, brother, and friend, E.W. Gunkel, (Also known as Eddie Higgins), joined his Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, in Paradise. He was born in Lamar, Colorado, on September 12, 1947. E.W. attended school in Walsh, Colorado and grew up excelling in athletics and graduated as the salutatorian of his class of 1966. He loved rodeo, basketball, football, track, baseball, and any competition, receiving a football scholarship to Azusa Pacific University in California. 

E.W. was a patriot and served his country during the Vietnam War.  He was a sergeant (E5) in the Marine Corps in a combat area from February 13, 1967, through 1970 and then served in the Marine Corps Reserve. He began his service as a Mortarman at Camp Pendleton with training in small arms and finished up his combat and Vietnam service as an Amphibious Reconnaissance Marine with the 1st Battalion.  

He received recognition of valor several times including the Bronze Star with V, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3*, Vietnam Combat Medal with device, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal 2x, The Navy Commendation Medal, as well as other medals awarded post-service. 

The citation for the Navy Commendation Medal stated his heroic valor as, “Constantly concerned for the proficiency and combat readiness of his platoon, he diligently trained his men and quickly molded them into an effective fighting team fully capable of responding to all tactical situations.” He received commendations for heroic life saving actions, being cited multiple times. 

In one particular situation on May 27th, 1970, it was reported that he, “...repelled repeated attacks on his company’s position” and, “...relieved his beleaguered unit”, saving multiple lives, treating his brothers in arms’ wounds, putting the safety of his men before himself. In his later years, he served as president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Ruidoso, New Mexico Chapter #1062. He loved his country until his last breath. 

E.W. had a variety of interests and would take on any challenge. He played the piano, devoured books, and was always learning. He worked as a paramedic in Denver, Colorado on Flight for Life. He drove cattle trucks, had his own trucking company, and worked as a working cowboy and ranch foreman all across the United States. Cowboying and working in agriculture was what EW wanted to do since the time he was a small boy. 

He worked some of the most expansive ranches ranging in the hundreds of sections, caring for the land, the cattle, and wildlife with dedication and fierce determination to keep the cowboy life alive. He was a man who loved the Earth and the creatures God put on it.  He had a passion for horses that wasn’t just a hobby, but a way of life. He had a unique talent for making dogs, horses, and people loyal to him. Aside from spending time with his family, he was always happiest when working, especially on the back of a horse in the mountains. He might sit down if he had a chance to wet a line and catch a fish.  Cowboying was his employment, passion, and identity but he believed his first role and responsibility was as a disciple of Christ and a son of God.

E.W. met Carolyn “Lynn” Hamblen, in Kersey Colorado in March of 1979.  They were married April 2nd,1982 in Silver City, New Mexico. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona LDS temple, February 2nd, 1996.  She loved his penchant for creating adventure and taking her dancing. He loved her spirit and tried to tame it the rest of their marriage, never quite succeeding, but loving every minute of the challenge. He said the song ‘Firecracker’ with the line “When I light the fuse, I gotta get back quick, you gotta be careful with a dynamite stick”, was all about his beloved Lynn.

January 25th, 1994, E.W's already strong Christian faith was amplified when he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He became a man that lived to serve his Savior, Jesus Christ. He stepped out into his life with a newfound faith and stalwart vigor as a disciple of Christ. He loved to share his faith with all those he encountered, including his family and even strangers he never met before. He served as the president of the Mescalero Apache LDS branch, and various other callings that allowed him to serve his brothers and sisters in Christ. His faith was unwavering and he wanted to bless everyone with the joy and peace he had found. His testimony was unmatched and he built it stronger until he returned to the one Lord, who holds the title to his soul. 

E.W. loved children and raised his own with a spirit of growth, discipline and work. He was a protector and a strength to his family. After his baptism he took the part of the “Proclamation to the Family” seriously when it said, “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness.” He wanted them to be unified in love and purpose. He was a father to more than just his own children, reaching out with a spirit of love and Christlike service. It has been said that E.W. saw people for who they really are. He had a way of communicating with others, making them aware of their position as a child of God. 

He is having a joyful reunion with his family and friends on the other side who preceded him in death, including: His little brother (Ronnie Eugene Higgins), his Mamaw (Vivian Hicks), Papaw, (Ely Walker), mother (Mary Gifford), his father (Loyd “Doc” Gunkel), his step father (Roland ‘Rod’ Higgins), his brother (Dennis Gunkel), His sister, (Connee Gunkel Mcanear), close cousin (Max Gunkel), and Michael Rostel Mack, not related but a cowboy ‘pard’ and a brother.  He leaves behind his beloved wife- Carolyn Gunkel, Children- (David Houchen, Sheri Houchen Ylen, Ronnie Adun Gunkel, Susan Houchen Barks, and Stacie Gunkel Williams), over 35 deeply loved grandchildren and great grandchildren, Siblings- (Sue Higgins Martin, Glen Gunkel, Kathy Gunkel, Carol Gunkel Jones). 

E.W. lived his life according to the Reconnaissance Creed, “Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail.” He took his last breath, used the last beat of his heart, as a warrior, fighting to the very end. We pray that he is greeted by our Lord with a fulfillment of “Semper Fidelis” and, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

To live stream service, please visit https://evt.live/ew-gunkel-memorial.
 
The Gunkel family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.

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