Landon Thomas Kuenzi

Landon Thomas Kuenzi September 19, 1989 - July 11, 2009 SALEM - Landon Thomas Kuenzi was born on September 19, 1989. He left this world, but not our hearts Saturday July 11, 2009 in a tragic car accident. He may have only lived to reach his golden birthday, but it was enough to touch the hearts of countless people. Landon loved people! He greatly admired his dad, and always wanted to be just like him. Landon even liked to dress like him and wear clothes he wore when he was in high school. Family was very important to him whether it was his mom, sister, four brothers, and nephew or his aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins etc. Landon enjoyed Sunday School and appreciated how his Sunday School teachers cared for him and were helping shape him as he grew into adulthood. He never missed an opportunity to take part in his Sunday School functions. His friends played an important role in his life as well. He was constantly text-messaging friends from Oregon, and as far away as Illinois. Landon also loved music! He always had something playing and he also loved to sing. He enjoyed singing in choir at Walker Middle School and West Salem High School, in Sunday School at church, in front of the camera at home, and with his siblings. Landon understood that his musical talent came from God, and he worked at using it to glorify Him. His voice and enthusiasm for singing will be greatly missed. Football was another passion of Landon's. Many a mud football game was played in his front yard with his brothers, cousins, and friends. He played football for the Boys and Girls Club, Walker Middle School, and the West Salem High School Titans. He enjoyed an incredible season his senior year where they ended as state semi-finalists. He proudly holds the all-school record for most defensive stars in a season: 14. His coaches and teammates meant a lot to Landon. In the football scrapbook he left us he mentioned how he would write names or numbers of teammates who had been hurt and the football numbers of his brothers on the athletic tape on his wrists. He may have been small, but he was a scrapper. Landon wrote, "I hope my example will inspire other kids to be like me and play with my heart. That's all it took." After graduating, Landon's desire was to follow his brother Jordan's footsteps into Chemeketa's Firefighting program. He was 4 months into the program. It was a great challenge for him, but his greatest desire was to be an EMT firefighter where he could help others. His family had the opportunity to see Landon and Jordan in action when we experienced a house fire this last February. Besides working at Chemeketa, Landon also worked as a volunteer for West Valley Fire District. Landon's first job was as a pig chaser for his dad on our pig farm. His first paying job was as a courtesy clerk for Roth's grocery store in West Salem. Landon always desired to be a farmer like his dad, so he enjoyed working one summer on the McKee farm in Amity, and then driving combine for Golden Valley Farms the next summer. Other things Landon enjoyed were showing hogs in 4-H at the Polk County Fair where he had the Grand Champion Hog two times much to the consternation of his siblings! He also loved his crazy hair and sideburns, his grandparent's '55 chevy, restoring his dad's 4020 tractor with his dad and brothers, and lifted trucks. His own '79 Chevy 3/4 ton truck was parked while he completed his education. Landon Thomas Kuenzi is survived by his parents, Art and Mary Kuenzi; sister, Rachel Kuenzi; brothers, Bradley, Jordan, Derrick, and Shane Kuenzi; and his nephew, Trevon Kuenzi all of Salem. He is also survived by his grandparents, Leo and Marge Buchheit; his grandmother, Janet Kuenzi; 34 aunts and uncles; 95 first cousins; and many more extended cousins. He is also survived by his teammates, countless friends, and special friend, Amber Abrams. His grandmother, Louise Kuenzi preceded him in death in '88; and his grandfather, Lee Kuenzi in April of this year. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Center. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 at the Apostolic Christian Church. He will be buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery close to his grandfather's farm. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.