Frederick "Troy" Hunziker's Obituary
Frederick “Troy” Hunziker, age 67, a resident of Chanute, Kansas passed away on December 6, 2023, at his home after a brief illness from leukemia.
He was born on March 23, 1956 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Fred and Carolyn Hunziker.
In 1958, the family moved to Chanute, Kansas, where Troy spent the majority of his life. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1974 and attended college at Neosho County Community College.
Troy and Vicki Jackson were married April 8, 1978. Although the marriage later dissolved, they remained dear to one another, and friends, until the end.
He worked with his father at “Fred’s Treads”, and later assumed ownership. For over forty years, he served the community in this capacity and was affectionately known as “Tireman,”
Troy was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing, game hunting, rock collecting, gardening, morel hunting, and golfing. He didn’t miss opening day of dove season for over 50 years. These were special activities that he enjoyed with his closest buddies and “bonus” son, Tray.
Troy was an excellent home chef. Over the years, he graciously shared thousands of pints of fine, homemade salsa after carefully harvesting his tomatoes and perfecting his recipe. He maintained a record of his morel finds each year, often totaling over 1,000, and loved to add them to numerous dishes.
More than anything, Troy was a good friend, loving father figure, and special family member.
Troy is survived by his mother, Carolyn Swiler; step-father, David Swiler; step-brothers Ed (Chris) and Morgan Swiler; niece, Carrie Barnett and nephew, Harrison (Annie) Williamson; bonus children, Tray (Holly) Olson and Tannah (Ryan) Jones; former wife and forever friend, Vicki Hunziker; and beloved dog and close companion, “L’il Miss.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Hunziker and sister, Cheryl Williamson.
Visitation will be on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Countryside Funeral Home. Service will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Scott. Memorials have been suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or MD Anderson Cancer Center and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, Kansas 66270.
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