Walter Glenn Kuykendall passed away surrounded by his wife and children on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.
Walter, known as Walt to his friends and family, was born Dec. 23, 1948, in Iola, Kansas. He was the son of Raymond Glenn Kuykendall and Doris Mae Pearce.
He grew up on the farm and attended school in the Iola area, graduating from Iola High School in 1966. He found a passion for running and participating in cross-country.
In 1970 he joined the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Hepburn. As a Yeoman and Petty Officer, he received an honorable discharge and the National Defense Medal.
Walter dedicated his life to his community as a law enforcement officer starting in 1972. During his lifelong career he served as an Officer, Master Police Officer, Detective, Lieutenant, and Police Chief. He served the Wichita, Valley Center, Kechi and Iola Police Departments. He retired as the interim Police Chief for the City of Kechi in 2012.
He married the love of his life Cynthia D. Jones (nee Pennington) on Oct. 12, 1996, in Wichita. His children (all surviving) are Karen (Steven) Zawicki, Tim (Delynn) Kuykendall, and Jenni Kuykendall-Hanson (Brandon Manville). He was the cherished grandfather to Zachary (Jessica) Kuykendall, Skyler (Gaby) Spoonemore, Desiree (Lancer) Barnes, Taylor (McKay) Phillips, Spencer (K’Lea) Kuykendall, Catherine Zawicki, Chris Zawicki, Lea (Collin) Agne, Cynthia Zawicki and Carolynne Zawicki; and beloved great-grandfather of eight beautiful great-grandchildren.
Walt had a love of woodcarving which began in the fall of 1998. For years he watched the guest woodcarvers at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Walt most often carved 3D realistic carvings of animals. Walt would later (2007) become a guest carver himself serving the guests of Silver Dollar City until his death.
Walt and his wife are loving volunteers at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Walt was honored a few years ago for having dedicated 25 years to volunteering. His favorite event to support was Zoobilee.
In May 1981, he was one of the original six runners of the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run which started in Wichita. He is one of the only runners to have run every year from 1981 until his death. He was inducted into the Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame in 2022.
Walt also loved the outdoors and was a passionate fisherman. He competed and participated in many fishing competitions in the Kansas and Missouri areas. He has a special fondness for the Branson area where he was often found camping at the Castle View Estates Campground.
Walt was a man of many passions and was always on the run (both figuratively and literally!). He was a member of the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge in Wichita. His Catholic faith was very important to him and whether he was in town or on vacation he never missed mass. He also served the Retired Police Officers of Wichita association in various capacities including President and Treasurer. He also served the Great Plains Wood Carvers Association in Wichita.
Above all his passions, commitments and service he was most proud of being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He once stated his most proud moment was the birth of his children.
Walter Glenn Kuykendall will be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Schulte, Kansas. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at Culbertson-Smith Funeral Home in Wichita. Rosary and mass services followed by graveside will be 10:30 a.m.-noon Friday, March 7 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Schulte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics in honor of the Law Enforcement Torch Run or the Retired Police Officers Association of Wichita.
Advertisement
Advertisement
