Kennedy Sutton Tunks, 27, Nashville, TN (formerly of King City, MO) passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Kennedy was born on March 19, 1997, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She graduated from King City R-1 in 2015, where she was actively involved in various school organizations. Her accomplishments included a third-place state title in softball, a district championship in basketball, and earning both her State and American FFA Degrees. She excelled academically, taking many dual credit courses and receiving a Bright Flight scholarship.
Kennedy went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Missouri in 2019. As president of Mizzou Engineers Without Borders, she traveled to Panama to help implement a sustainable pipeline for clean water access. During college, she also began an internship with Schneider Electric, leading several safety improvement and cost-saving projects.
After graduating from the University of Missouri, Kennedy joined Schneider Electric’s Global Supply Chain Advanced Development Program, completing rotations in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and El Paso, Texas, before settling in Nashville, Tennessee, where she began her permanent role. Over seven years, she held more than seven positions, bringing leadership, ambition, and drive to each. In her final role as Manufacturing Program Manager, Kennedy led a critical program, managing complex challenges with intelligence, positivity, and a strong work ethic. Known for empowering her colleagues, she inspired those around her to do their best work. Though her time in this role was brief, her impact was profound—Kennedy quickly adapted to new tasks and products, always approaching her work with enthusiasm and a collaborative spirit. She was a dedicated team member who left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with.
Kennedy is survived by her parents, Monty and Christa Tunks, and Chuck and Amy Gibson; her paternal grandparents, Max and Maxie Tunks; her maternal grandparents, Jim and Jeannie Parsons; and her step-grandparents, Rick and Vicky Huff, and Eddie and Annie Gibson. She is also survived by her siblings, Brynan Tunks (Micheal Agbaje), Paige Mollus (Michael), Cooper Tunks, Grafton Sweiger (Audrey Goodwin), Olivia Sweiger, Alexia Sweiger Eaton (Dakota), Colby Gibson (Marlyn), and Ashley Gibson Long (Aron). Additionally, she is remembered by her aunts and uncles, Marty Tunks (Sibyl Downing), Marita Tunks (Dan Scropos), Nathan Parsons (Catherine), Rebecca Huff, and Cyndi Gamble (Bill), as well as her cousins, Jaston Tunks (Brittney, Scarlett Grey, Caroline), Brody Tunks, Zoe Tunks, Jay Jura, Alex Jura, Sophie Jura, Ellie Jura, Lydia Jura, Justin Foster, Josie McCreary, Lacey Parsons, Forrest Parsons, Garland Mason and Seth Cottrell. Kennedy is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Tucker and Karsyn Mollus, Emmalynn, Sutton, and Perry Sweiger.
Pallbearers will include Alex McQuinn, Micheal Agbaje, Michael Mollus, Tucker Mollus, Grafton Sweiger, Dakota Eaton, and Cooper Tunks.
Kennedy was a compassionate, strong woman who loved her family and friends fiercely. With a spunky personality and bold attitude, she lived life to the fullest, never backing down from challenges. Kennedy adopted her dog, Zeus, who became her loyal companion during college and as she traveled across the country and settled in Nashville. Together, they were inseparable, and fittingly, they left this world side by side. In Nashville, Kennedy embraced the city's music scene, attending festivals and concerts, and volunteered with organizations supporting youth athletics and academics. A passionate Kansas City Chiefs and Mizzou fan, she loved attending games and hosting tailgates. Kennedy was the glue of her family, always organizing vacations, events, and family gatherings. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28 at Hammer Memorial United Methodist Church, King City, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, King City, MO. Burial will follow in King City Cemetery, King City, MO. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the church.
