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Kerrville Independent School District (KISD) mourned the death of two of its teachers — a current one and a former one — in the Guadalupe River flood.
In a statement on social media, the district confirmed the deaths of Reece and Paula Zunker, both teachers at Tivy High School. The district also said their children, Lyle and Holland, were still missing.
Reece Zunker was also a boys soccer coach.
— kerrvilleisd (@kerrvilleisd) July 6, 2025
“It’s already heart-wrenching,” Brent Ringo, the district’s superintendent, said about the deaths. “His loss is already being felt because of the way he treated people, his kindness, the way he treated his athletes — they truly loved playing for him.”
Ringo said the district is providing support to coaches, teachers and members of the community who knew Reece Zunker well.
He also said the district planned to hold the first of many community blessing and worship services at Antler Stadium from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, and that counselors will be present.
“There's a lot of resilience in this community,” Ringo said. “When people get together and see each other and are able to talk and they see the support of each other, I think that is just vital to healing.”
Ringo said in a statement to district families on July 4 that KISD designated campus sites for first responders and state agencies to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
KISD school buses were also used to assist in transporting campers from various camps located in the Hill Country to reunification sites on July 4.
The district began offering counseling services to all KISD students and staff on July 7. Ringo said the district is preparing to offer counseling services in the coming months and years.
“We are a family, and this has been heart-wrenching,” Ringo said. “KISD is here for our community because they've always been here for us.”
