Latest news with #PaulaZunker
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Beloved high-school soccer coach and wife become latest Texas flood victims... with their two children still missing
A high-school soccer coach and his wife were among those who died in the devastating floods that swept through Texas on Friday, it has been announced. Reece Zunker, a teacher and soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville, and his wife Paula, who was formerly a teacher at the school, tragically lost their lives after the Guadalupe River in Kerr County flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level in the early hours of July 4. The couple's two young children, Lyle and Holland, were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. '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,' the Kerrville Independent School District said in a statement. 'Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach. His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. 'Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later.' — kerrvilleisd (@kerrvilleisd) July 6, 2025 The Tivy boy's soccer team also paid tribute to Reece, who taught at the school for 12 years, describing him as a 'leader and inspiration'. 'Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach he was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids,' the team said in a post on Facebook. 'He rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy. His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community and his family will never be forgotten.' School officials in Texas urged the community to keep the Zunker family 'in your prayers' with Lyle and Holland still missing. According to Fox News, they were vacationing at a river house in Hunt, near Camp Mystic - where several children are still unaccounted for. Reece's last post on Facebook, which he made on June 15, reveals that the couple were celebrating their 11th anniversary last month. He wrote alongside a photo of them together: 'Late delivery, but it's because we were busy having a great night! Here's to 11 years and many more to come! Love you babe! Happy Anniversary! The devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 82 people, including five young girls aged between eight and nine whose summer camp - Camp Mystic - was swept away. At the time of writing rescuers have found the bodies of 40 adults and 28 children. The wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has confirmed the tragic loss of a family member as a result of the devastating Texas floods. Clark's wife, Tavia, revealed that Janie Hunt - a young cousin in the family - was part of the Camp Mystic campers who died. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friend's little girls. 'How do we trust a God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen — even to children? 'That is a sacred and tender question — and one the Bible doesn't shy away from. Scripture is filled with the cries of those whose hearts have been shattered, who still wrestle to trust the same God they believe allowed the pain.' A total of 11 girls are missing from Camp Mystic after the rushing waters destroyed the all-girls private Christian summer camp.
Fox News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
High school soccer coach, wife identified as death toll rises after Texas floods; two children remain missing
School officials in Texas announced Sunday that Reece Zunker, a teacher and high school soccer coach, and his wife, Paula, were found dead following the devastating flooding that swept through Kerr County, Texas, on Friday. The Kerrville Independent School District released a statement confirming the deaths of the Tivy High School boy's soccer coach and his wife, who was also formerly a teacher at Tivy. "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," the statement read. "Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach. His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. "Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later." School officials in Texas also made a plea to keep that family "in your prayers," revealing that the couple's two children, Lyle and Holland, were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. According to reports, the family was vacationing at a river house in Hunt, near Camp Mystic, where several children are still unaccounted for. The Tivy boy's soccer team also released a statement remembering Zunker, whom they called a "leader and inspiration." "Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach he was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids," the post on Facebook read. "He rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy. His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community and his family will never be forgotten." Zunker taught at Tivy High School for 12 years, according to KENS 5. Over a dozen campers were confirmed dead as of Sunday afternoon, Kerr County officials said. One counselor and 11 campers remained unaccounted for while the death toll across Central Texas climbed to nearly 70 on Sunday. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Soccer coach and wife killed in Texas floods as their kids remain missing with death toll at 52: Live updates
A beloved soccer coach and his wife have been confirmed among those killed by the devastating floods sweeping Texas, as the death toll surpasses 50 people. The ongoing deluge which started on July 3 has taken the lives of at least 52 people, including 15 children, while destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Soccer coach Reece Zunker and his wife Paula died in the horrific torrent - and their two young children are still missing. The couple's family and local soccer team confirmed their deaths on social media, while one relative said their house was spotted 'floating down the Guadalupe River'. It comes as residents have started questioning why officials failed to warn them about the floods until 1.18pm on July 3, and framed them as only 'moderate' storms. The National Weather Service escalated the alert to a flash flood warning at 1am Friday, then a more serious Flash Flood Emergency by 4.30am - but by this stage water was already pouring into families' homes. A flood watch remains in place for many of the worst-hit areas of central Texas through Sunday, including Kerrville County where the majority of the deaths have been recorded. Forecasters have warned that more rain is on the way. 12:32 Beloved soccer coach and wife among the dead Reece Zunker and his wife Paula are among those who died in the devastating floods, and their two young children are still missing. The couple's family and local soccer team confirmed their deaths on social media, while one relative said their house was spotted 'floating down the Guadalupe River'. Tivy Boys Soccer team paid tribute to their coach in a Facebook post, saying he 'rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy'. 'His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community and his family will never be forgotten,' the team wrote. Dozens of people commented on the post to share the 'incredible' impact he had on their lives. Texas flooding death toll climbs to 52 Officials have said 52 people have been confirmed dead, including 15 children, since the deluge began in central Texas on Thursday. The majority of those who died were in Kerrville County, where the Guadalupe River broke its banks in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Rescuers were continuing to comb the river for dozens of missing people on Sunday. The death toll is expected to rise.
