Augustine “Gus” Zuniga of St. Louis, Missouri passed away surrounded by his family on December 13, 2023. Son of Agustin and Jesus Zuniga, he was born in St. Louis on December 18, 1935. He grew up in St. Louis with his eight siblings after his parents emigrated from Irapuato, Mexico. He graduated from Hadley Technical High School where he met the love of his life, Carol Zuniga. He asked Carol’s friend, “Who is that beautiful girl, can you introduce her to me?” and that is where his life grew larger.
Gus and Carol were married and had daughters, Linda & Mariam. They lived in St. Louis throughout their childhood and had countless laughs. Linda and Mariam particularly enjoyed when their Dad would fly them over the railroad tracks to give them a bit of an adrenaline rush on their way to activities. He loved to create games that would make people smile.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves and served his country in Active Duty in Étain, France during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. After nine years of service, he was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. He was selected as a recognized veteran on the St. Louis Honor Flight in September 2023 and was provided a Senate Resolution from the State of Missouri.
He went on to become a plumbing engineer at Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) working on hundreds of projects such as the National Air & Space Museum, Washington, D.C.; the Air Command Center, Saudi Arabia; the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse, St. Louis; Sheraton Inn at Timika, Indonesia; and The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis. He was also a charter member for the American Society of Plumbing Engineers St. Louis. He spent 42 years at HOK retiring as Vice President and Plumbing Designer. When deciding on retirement, he mentioned to Carol the importance of having the time to spend with his seven grandchildren, and he did just that by attending every sporting event, concert and school function.
Gus enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family. He especially loved teaching his grandchildren how to follow through on their golf swing, singing to the tunes of classical and Spanish music, and telling many stories about his life journey. When discussing Gus’s life, it would not be right to skip over his most prestigious title, Dancing King. Whether it was at a wedding or in his own kitchen, he continued to dance through life.
Gus was an ongoing source of fun, happiness, kindness, and love. He touched countless lives spanning family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Anyone who knew him spoke fondly of the way he made them feel. He will be missed and remembered by many.
Survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol Zuniga, daughters Linda (Bill) Lowry and Mariam (John) Schanzle, grandchildren Bill Lowry Jr., Chris Lowry, Adam Lowry, Jenny (Bryan) Meyers, Mindy (Jake) Stumpf, Jacqui (Jason) Boyd, J.C. (Emily) Schanzle IV, and great-grandchildren Will Lowry and Liliana Meyers. He is also survived by sisters Josefina Sanchez and Marta (Don) Reyna, brother Robert (Dorothy) Zuniga, and many other loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and long-time friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Agustin and Jesus Zuniga, brothers Francisco Zuniga, Nicanor Zuniga, and Carlos Zuniga, and sisters Aurelia Curiel and Enedina Gutierrez.
SERVICES: Visitation will be at Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, on December 18, 2023 (Gus’s birthday) from 4 – 8 PM. Services will be at Mary Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Rd, St. Louis on December 19, 2023 at 9:30 AM. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Rd, St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Augustine “Gus” Zuniga to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, organizations Gus and Carol have donated to and supported over the years.
Our thoughts are with you 🩷
Your dad was the kindest,
man, he loved you girls much.
He would just beam when he was at the kids games, sitting next to you. He was such a a good hearted, thoughtful, and happy person. My heart is with you ❤️
Uncle Gus will be sorely missed among his family and friends . The memories he created for me and my brother Dave are countless . Rest in peace , Dear Uncle .
MY DEAR BROTHER GUS. YOU WILL BE MISSED SO VERY MUCH. BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR MINDS AND HEARTS.
YOU AND CAROL WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOUR FAMILY AND SIBLINGS FAMILY’S.
YOU WERE MY IDOL GROWING UP BECAUSE OF YOUR ATHLETIC SKILLS.
WE ALL WERE VERY PROUD OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS .
WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOME DAY IN THE AFTER LIFE
LOVE AND AFFECTION,
DOROTHY & BOB
Thinking of all the memories I have shared with Gus and Carol over the years makes it hard to imagine we have reached this last stage where we must say goodbye. But sadly, I say goodbye to a wonderful, caring man who will always have a special place in my heart !! All my family sends deepest sympathy to the entire Zuniga Family. God Bless!
Charlene Brumbaugh, Mary Ann Prouty, Bruce & Thomasine Brumbaugh
Our thoughts are with all the Zuniga family. We will always remember the summer family outings. Your greetings and hospitality were always with a smile of joy The most memorable visit was the story about the Zuniga baseball team. You talked about the players, good times and the jerseys that you all wore. It motivated you to seek out your jersey and lo and behold with your smile, you said, “It still fits!” Lisa and I gave an applause and it went to the picnic. We will always have wonderful great memories of Uncle Gus.
Raul,Mercy,Lisa and David Pena
My grandfather and Gus’s dad were brothers. Childhood visits to St. Louis from Chicago were always made special by our “Uncle Gus’s” attention and kindness. He has earned his glory!
Gus went to Hadley Tech with my husband, Don. They loved each other dearly.
Gus was the nicest, sweetest, kindest man. We were blessed to be his friends.
Gus and Carol had a special love that lit the room up. The 4 of us had fun luncheons, those memories will be with me forever.
My love and prayers are with Carol and Family.
Love, Judy (wife of Don Moore).
Our deepest condolences to all our St. Louis family. My dearest Tio Augustine will be missed dearly. I will cherish his memory forever. Sending all our love & prayers from Chicago.
Love Tu Sobrina Coco Raya Zuñiga
I close my eyes and I see with full clarity the evening I first saw Gus. Rich’s friend, Marta, was hosting one of her myriad parties and Rich was excited for me to meet his great friends. We double-dated with Cindy and Gary.
As we started to descend the stairs leading to sounds of a party in full swing
I noticed someone beginning to come up.
I grabbed Cindy and said, “Oh, my gosh!
Look at that gorgeous man!”
I heard a firm “MARRiED!” Rich had overheard my comment. Then I noticed this positively gorgeous redhead behind Gus.
And so began a decade of friendship.
I always told them they were the true definition of class and so they were.
Carole will now embark upon a life without her love. She’s a strong lady and she can do it but I know her heart wishes they could have more time.
Rest in piece, my handsome Gus.
God go with you, you gorgeous redhead..
So many loving memories! Everything from Carol and Gus’s prom, where we meet this beautiful man and blessed into the Boster family. We loved him from day one and the 70 years of memories grew too numerous to mention. Kind, caring, loving of life, family, and friends.
Larry’s going to miss your many gifts ( give-aways that Gus treasured).
Celebrating Gus’s life well lived!
Condolences to All.
I wish you all happy, loving memories of a life well lived, by a man well loved. Hugs any my deepest sympathies. He now rests in the arms of our Father.
I wish you all happy, loving memories of a life well lived, by a man well loved. Hugs any my deepest sympathies. He now rests in the arms of our Father. Prayers for you all.
My condolences to the Zuniga family! Gus was my immediate supervisor when I worked at HOK back in the old days (1980 – 1985). He taught me most of the basics of plumbing engineering and with his help my professional path forward was considerably easier than it could have been. I addition to being an excellent plumbing engineer and mentor he was also a great guy!
I remember playing softball with Gus on the HOK Engineers softball team, riding in a charity bike-a-thon with Gus at the Monsanto campus, spending time with him and Carole at an ASPE Convention in Kansas City and going to his house for a get together with a few coworkers. He was always friendly and welcoming! He will be greatly missed!