The Santa Ynez Airport will gain another name to honor a family involved in aviation, including the man who served as “a tireless advocate” for the airfield.
The airport’s board of directors voted unanimously on Thursday to support adding the name Kunkle Field after polling members and drawing support from 80% of voters.
The item came up weeks after the death of James W. Kunkle, 67, of colon cancer, but honors the family’s three generations of aviators, including his dad, James K. Kunkle, 99, a highly decorated World War II pilot, and son Chris Kunkle, a pilot and Central Coast AirFest director.
“I am extremely grateful for the recognition that the airport has given to my father. I know he would never ask for anything like this, but this is the ultimate celebration of his duty to advocate for his small-town airport and aviation in general,” Chris Kunkle told Noozhawk on Friday
“And I am humble to carry on the Kunkle name and proudly fight for the groundwork my dad and grandpa have laid to promote aviation.”
This isn’t an unusual way to honor those involved in airports. The Santa Maria Public Airport also has been dubbed the Capt. G. Allan Hancock Field to recognize the man’s roles in aviation in the Santa Maria Valley.
An anonymous letter circulated in the valley calling the proposal heartfelt but lacking transparency and in the hands of a handful of board members.
James W. Kunkle, who died April 16 and also was the father of Heather Kunkle, belonged to the Santa Ynez Airport’s board, including as president, and acted as manager for more than 18 years “serving on numerous ad hoc committees, helping oversee the retirement of the original airport debt, and creating, sustaining, and supporting the special character and culture of Santa Ynez Valley Airport,” according to the resolution.
“James W. Kunkle was a tireless advocate and supporter of all things related to the airport, including updates of its facilities and outreach to the community on behalf of the airport while being totally focused on the betterment of the Santa Ynez Valley Airport,” the resolution added.
During that time, Kunkle led efforts to add hangars, a fuel farm and the Los Padres National Forest fire station.
“It was a lot of little things that came along the way through the 18 years that really helped put the airport in a really strong financial place,” Chris Kunkle said.
The Kunkles “maintain and promote the legacy of open, friendly, and inclusive spirit” and “have fostered a very special family feeling at the Santa Ynez Airport,” the renaming resolution said.
As a military pilot the senior Kunkle served in the European Theater where he shot down two German Luftwaffe aircraft before being shot down in his P-38 aircraft over Aachen, Germany in September,1944 suffering severe burns to his face and hands, a broken back, and missing front teeth resulting in 16 weeks in the hospital; and
James W. Kunkle’s aviation career began at the age 8 as he worked with his father around airplanes and airports through various hangar, air cargo facility and other projects throughout the state and across the country.
In 2003, he created the Central Coast Jet Center, based at the Santa Maria airport,
He was known for his calm demeanor and knack for matching aviation operations in need of new home or other help, such as bringing several U.S. Forest Service facilities to Santa Maria’s airport.
“He was just kind of famous for making things happen and taking care of needs,” Chris Kunkle said
The Kunkle family connections also led to the Planes of Fame Air Museum choosing to open a Santa Maria location.
The Kunkles, through James W. and Chris, have led efforts to return an air show to Santa Maria, leading to the Central Coast AirFest.
At the age of 99, James K. Kunkle still regularly shows up at the Santa Ynez Airport on a daily basis, his grandson said. He will be recognized during the AirFest, which will coincide with his 100th birthday.
“They just loved aviation. Grandpa, if you asked him what airplane he loved, he’ll tell you all of them,” Chris Kunkle said.
A celebration of life for James W. Kunkle will take place at 11 a.m. May 28 at the Santa Ynez Airport. Reservations are requested of those who plan to attend by clicking here.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.