Clay Stueve Kungel, 30

June 2, 1993 — Sept. 26, 2023

Clay Stueve Kungel was born in the small farming town of Brighton, Colo. Only a short 30 years later, he went to be with the Lord on Sept. 26, 2023. An hour before his motorcycle accident on Riverdale, Clay had happily shared his Idaho plans before donning his fringed leather jacket to take a full moon ride. On top of the world, he went out the door praising God for the blessings in his life. Our loss is surely heaven’s gain.

He is survived by his mother, Paula Stueve, and father Dallas (Priscilla) Kungel; a brother from his father’s previous marriage, Dallas Noah Kungel; and goddaughter Xophia White, age 3; uncles and aunts: Gary (Kathy) Stueve, Bonners Ferry; Marcia (Mark) Tracht, Spokane; Peggy (Marvin) Maas, Bonners Ferry; and Rita Kungel (Sven Steinmo), Boulder. Clay was pre-deceased by grandparents Ray and Evelyn Stueve, Bonners Ferry; great-grandparents, Peter and Dorothy Lund, Samuels; and Lillian (Clyde) Mitchell, Bonners Ferry. Clay had many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews who miss him profoundly. His blue heeler, Reign, suffers in the way only a beloved companion can.

Clay attended Zion Lutheran School in his early years and later graduated from Brighton High School. He went on to earn a two-year degree from Aims Community College and gained his private pilot’s license shortly thereafter. Clay truly loved the outdoors and was at ease in all degrees of wilderness and terrain. Even as young as the age of 8, he could be found spending the night by himself in a treehouse at the far corner of 35 acres. An avid hunter and fisherman, Clay completed a monthlong canoe trip in Minnesota and Canada late last summer. Since she could not hold the other oar, Reign was given the duty of carrying her own dog food in saddlebags made specifically for her. 

Rightfully so, Clay had great pride in his HVAC business, 3-Heart Enterprises, which was named after Uncle Gary’s 3-Heart Outfitters, following the century-long tradition of the 3-Heart cattle brand of his great-grandparents (Lund). He loved the America that the Founding Fathers had prayed into a nation. His roots on both sides went back to the original Tea Party. It’s not hard to see him in feathers and native garb making afternoon tea in the bay. Another ancestor fought years in Washington’s Army during the American Revolution. He was, unapologetically, patriotic. 

Clay’s love of life will not soon be forgotten since he brought love and laughter with him everywhere he went. Clay touched many lives in his short time on Earth and will be remembered as a bright light by every one of them. His was truly a life lived with joy.

Friends of the family are invited to attend Clay’s graveside ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 21, in Grandview Cemetery, and to share in the dinner that follows at 1 p.m. at Gary and Kathy Stueve’s home, 2765 Turner Hill Road. Clay’s mother is at home now across from the former Paradise Dairy site on Turner Hill Road where she looks forward to connecting with old and new friends.