PRESS RELEASE
The Adams County 4-H Council wishes to posthumously honor the life and legacy of Fred W. Kunkel by naming the Fred Kunkel family as the 2025 Adams County 4-H Fair grand marshal.
Fred W. Kunkel accumulated more than 25 years of involvement with the Adams County 4-H program, first as a 10-year 4-H member and later as an active volunteer who served in numerous roles. Fred resided in Root Township with his wife, Becci, and their three children: Fred, Henry, and Noah.
Fred’s roots in the 4-H program run deep—first as a dedicated member and later as a selfless volunteer who gave decades of service to the youth of Adams County. Fred and Becci shared a profound passion for 4-H, one they poured into their family, their community, and countless young people along the way.
Together, Fred and Becci have been involved in 4-H for decades—as 10-year members themselves, as volunteers, and as parents. Their children are now following in their footsteps, becoming part of a generational 4-H legacy built on faith, service, and family.
Fred was known not only for his quiet strength and unwavering work ethic, but for the way he led—with heart. Whether leading the Root Roving Rangers 4-H Club, assisting with the Dairy Committee, or co-leading the North Adams Mini 4-H Club alongside Becci, Fred brought joy, dedication, and a deep belief in the power of 4-H to shape lives.
Outside of 4-H, Fred was active in numerous agricultural and community organizations, including Indiana Milk Quality Professionals, Indiana Dairy Producers, and Farm Bureau. He was also a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur. Becci has likewise been a significant contributor to the llama community, serving in local, state, and national organizations for the past 20 years.
The Kunkels’ most cherished 4-H memories were made not in the show ring or at the podium, but in the everyday moments—leading clubs together and watching their children join 4-H and develop a love for the program they so deeply treasure. The Kunkel family truly enjoyed being part of the 4-H community, and we hope to continue seeing Fred W. Kunkel’s life and legacy shine through the involvement of their young children.
While Fred’s passing leaves a void that can never truly be filled, his presence remains—in the barns, in the club meetings, and in the countless lives he touched. His legacy of service, humility, and leadership lives on through Becci and their sons, and through the values he helped instill in the Adams County 4-H community.
Please join us in honoring the Fred Kunkel family during a special presentation on Tuesday, July 22, at the Adams County 4-H Fairgrounds in Monroe, immediately following the parade. Together, we celebrate a life well lived and a family whose love for 4-H continues to inspire us all.
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