Beloved Tivy High School teacher and soccer coach Reece Zunker, along with his wife Paula, were found dead following catastrophic flash flooding in Kerr County over the Fourth of July weekend.
School officials confirmed the couple’s passing on Sunday in an emotional statement that sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Texas Hill Country community.
The statement read,
“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our beloved teachers, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, who tragically lost their lives in the flash flood on July 4th. Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach… Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community.”
The Zunkers were vacationing at a river house in Hunt, near Camp Mystic, when torrential rains caused deadly floods to sweep away their home in the early hours of Friday morning.
The couple’s two children, Lyle and Holland, remain missing, sparking ongoing search and rescue efforts across the region.
Reece Zunker Was A Beloved Coach And Teacher
Reece Zunker, a math teacher and head boys’ soccer coach at Tivy High School, had been with Kerrville ISD since 2012.
Known for his leadership, energy, and ability to inspire, Coach Zunker rebuilt the school’s soccer program from the ground up.
A tribute from the Tivy Boys Soccer team read,
“Coach Zunker was not just a soccer coach—he was a mentor, teacher, and a role model. His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community, and family will never be forgotten.”
A dedicated family man and proud Liverpool FC supporter, Zunker was known to quote his favorite club’s motto: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
News of the couple’s death was shared at Kerrville’s Church of Christ, where youth minister Ricky Pruitt described a prayer vigil that transformed into a gathering of mourning and shared memories.
Pruitt posted,
“Coach Zunker and his wife Paula’s lives ended tragically in the flood over the past two days and were discovered today. What started as a prayer vigil turned into a time of comforting one another and giving witness to two lives of wonderful people.”
Former students and colleagues flooded social media with tributes.
Jonathan Ellington, a Tivy soccer standout from the class of 2019, remembered Zunker by writing,
“He taught us to work hard, to move as a team, and how to trust and rely on one another’s instincts in the beautiful game. It is unfathomable to think that he and his wife are actually gone.”
Mario Estrada, former Culinary Arts teacher at Tivy, posted heartfelt photos and memories with Reece, saying,
“His ability to SHOW UP, every day for everyone was inspiring.”
A State On Edge As Search Continues
The Zunkers’ deaths are part of a growing tragedy in Texas Hill Country, where at least 51 people have been confirmed dead due to flooding, including 15 children.
As of Sunday, many remain missing, including the Zunker children and over two dozen campers from a summer program in the area.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have both issued public statements and disaster declarations.
The federal government has pledged support for rescue and recovery efforts.
The Zunker family’s story has now become a symbol of this wider tragedy, a loss that stretches beyond one school or town.
