Walter Henry Brunkhorst, Jr.

Walter Henry Brunkhorst, Jr.

Born February 28, 1931 to Walter H. Brunkhorst and Artemissa Page Brunkhorst in Springfield, Missouri. Walter graduated from Greenwood School in Springfield in 1949. He lettered in three sports for three years at Greenwood.

Walter graduated from Drury University in Springfield with a BA degree in Economics and Political Science. At Drury he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and was editor of the Drury Mirror. Walter was also President of the Young Republican Club. Following graduation from Drury, he went into the US Army toward the end of the Korean War. Following basic training, he attended Helicopter School in San Marcos, Texas. Upon graduation at San Marcos AFB, he was assigned to the 81st Helicopter B at Marshall Field, Fort Riley, Kansas. In September, 1954 he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Gwyn Johnson of Springfield. At the end of his Army service, they moved back to Springfield. Walter went to work for RA Ollis Co. and Hamilton Management Corporation. After their stay in Springfield, Walter was hired as a researcher with Missouri Public Expenditure Survey, a privately supported taxpayers’ organization, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Several years later, Walter was hired in a management training program with Crank Drug Company in Springfield, Missouri. After this training period, Crank’s sent him to Wichita, Kansas to open his first of five superstores. While in Wichita, Walter became president of the Wichita Executive Association. He was also a member of the College Hill Rotary Club. He and his son, Walter III, enjoyed their hunting time at their Ninnescha River hunting club and elsewhere in Kansas.

In 1968 Walter and Gwyn bought a Hallmark shop in downtown Wichita. A few years later the Brunkhorsts opened another store in west Wichita. They operated these Hallmark shops until 1986, when they decided to sell them and semi-retire. They bought a store in Jonesboro, Arkansas and moved there.

The Brunkhorsts ran their Hallmark Shop (Petty's) in Indian Mall from 1986 until the new Mall at Turtle Creek opened in April of 2006. Since opening the Turtle Creek store, Walter & Gwyn turned Petty's over to their children, Walter III and Carol Carpenter.

Walter was active in the Helping Neighbors Food Program for providing food for needy families. He was a member of the Jonesboro Country Club Men’s Gold Association.
The Brunkhorsts have been members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church since 1986.

Walter is survived by his wife Gwyn of 56 years. Surviving children are: Walter H. Brunkhorst, III (Pam); daughters Artie Skaggs of Hot Springs; and, Carol Carpenter-Crumby (Charlie) of Germantown, Tennessee. Grandchildren are: Scott Carpenter; Kyle Carpenter (Libby); Alexis Teal (Rich); Geoff Mangels; and, Ashley Brunkhorst. Also, three great grandchildren.

The Brunkhorst family is very appreciative of the staff and volunteers at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice. Very special thanks are given to the staff at Culpepper Place for the wonderful care and love they provide everyday.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 531 W. College Street, Jonesboro. The service will start at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 15. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local food bank and/or Salvation Army.