Obituaries

Richard Kuckenbecker (82)

Richard Kuckenbecker (82) It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Kuckenbecker announces his passing on November 27, 2022, at the age of 82. Richard was born in Sanger, CA, on May 2, 1940, to his loving parents, Ruth and Lowell Kuckenbecker. Richard moved to Madera in 1945.

Richard and his wife Lynne are the owners of Kuckenbecker Tractor Company, which has been serving the needs of Central Valley Farmers since 1945. In 1945, Richard’s father, Lowell Kuckenbecker, bought the Madera dealership and opened it as Kuckenbecker Tractor Co. At the age of 21, Richard began selling tractors in Madera while, at the time, playing baseball for Pete Biden at Fresno State. Richard ultimately took over the operation of the business and moved the Madera dealership to its current location. In 1982 Richard purchased Fresno Ford Tractor from Chuck Stephan and built a second Kuckenbecker Tractor dealership in Fresno, which still stands today.

Community Leader and College Professor Passes: Ron Snipes 74

MADERA – On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Ronnie Lee Snipes of Madera went to sleep here on Earth and woke to see the face of our Lord, and spend eternity with the love of his life Jeana Dale Snipes in Heaven. Ronnie and his twin brother Lonnie were born to Woodrow Wilson Snipes and Sarah Lavern Martin Snipes on December 17, 1947, in Hanford, California.

The family moved to Merced County, where Ron and his two brothers spent their formative years. He was a 1966 graduate of Merced High School. After high school, Ron enlisted in the United States Army and served at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, where he suffered an eye injury that prematurely ended his military career. He returned to Merced, where he worked in the auto parts industry. This was when he met the love of his life, Jeana Dale Harris. The two were married on September 6, 1969, and were blessed with two children, Wesley and Kimberly.

Joyce Elaine Whitaker (90)

Joyce Elaine Whitaker (90) always knew what she wanted, and on September 20, 2022, she met Jesus face-to-face and was reunited with the love of her life at the age of 90 years old.

She was born to Truman and Beula Parker on July 10, 1932. A lifelong resident of Madera, Joyce attended local schools and was a graduate of Madera Union High School. Joyce grew up being involved in Eastern Star and the Rainbow Girls. Joyce and Ray grew up as next-door neighbors, and she always knew she wanted to one day marry him. On July 15, 1951, they were married in Madera, where they made their home and stayed for their nearly 70-year marriage.

Teddy “Ted” Clayton Wright (89)

Teddy “Ted” Clayton Wright (89) passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2022, at the age of 89 at Cedar Creek Retirement Community in Madera. Ted was born in Granite, OK to Gerstle and Irene Wright on June 25, 1933. He was the youngest of three children.

Ted’s family moved to California when he was 7 years old and settled in the Tulare area. As a Junior in high school and shortly after Ted’s 17th birthday, he enlisted in the United States Navy June 27, 1950. After basic training, he was assigned to the USS Cavalier and served during the Korean War. Ted earned the National Defense Service Metal, United Nations Service Metal, China Service Metal, and Korean Service Metal. Ted received an Honorable Discharge on April 17, 1954.

Rena Zoe “Tinker” Gunter (84)

Rena Zoe “Tinker” Gunter (84), passed away suddenly following a period of declining health. Tinker was born in Corley, Arkansas to Ralph Anderson and Bernice Rich Anderson. The family later moved to Madera, California where she graduated from Madera High School in 1955. For several years she worked for Bank of America in San Francisco before returning to Madera to marry the love of her life Clarence Gunter, a Madera farmer and rancher.

Tinker enjoyed handling the bookkeeping for the family farm. In her leisure time she enjoyed cooking, quilting, crocheting and spending time in the mountains. But her most joyful activity was being a wife and mother. She and her family attended 1st Assembly of God Church in Madera. She always looked forward to the Friday night singings.