John M. Zundel, 78, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away on October 23, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories, a deep love for his family, and a legacy of kindness, integrity, and devotion to those he loved.
Funeral Services for John M. Zundel will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria with Reverend Jonathan Murphy officiating. Burial will be in Tioga Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Rusty Forest, Cody Devine, Sam Hayes, Jarrod Hayes, Matthew Nelson, and Jeremy Burford.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Alexandria Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
John was born on August 27, 1948, in Bunkie, Louisiana. His family later moved to Alexandria, where he spent his childhood. He attended Rugg Elementary, Alexandria Junior High School, and Bolton High School, graduating in 1967.
An accomplished athlete, John enjoyed baseball, playing both pitcher and first base, and was known as an excellent batter. He was also a talented swimmer, competing with the Alexandria Aquatic Club and representing Bolton High School. His strongest strokes were the breaststroke and butterfly.
Following high school, John attended college before spending time working offshore aboard tugboats, tending barges and crane barges. He eventually returned to Alexandria and worked as a machinist for Dresser Industries.
It was during this chapter of his life that John met Deborah, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong companion. They married on September 29, 1979, beginning a life together filled with love, family, and shared experiences.
With Deborah’s encouragement, John returned to college, beginning with a single accounting course at LSU Alexandria. Having never studied accounting before, he earned an A and discovered a new confidence in his abilities. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana College.
John and Deborah eventually made their home in Baton Rouge, where John built his career, including 17 years with the LSU Foundation.
Together, John and Deborah raised two daughters, Kate and Jennifer, who were the pride and joy of his life. John was a devoted father who took an active interest in everything his girls pursued. Whether cheering from the sidelines, attending practices and competitions, or sharing his love of the outdoors, he was always there to support and encourage them.
An avid outdoorsman, John had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. Fishing held a particularly special place in his heart. He began bream fishing as a young boy and never lost the simple joy of watching a cork disappear beneath the water. His earliest fishing memories were made alongside his mother, father, and brother.
John’s love for hunting began just as early. He started accompanying dove hunts around the age of six and was deer hunting with his father by his teenage years. Later in life, he especially treasured the time spent at the Tensas squirrel camp, where he reunited with old high school friends to hunt squirrels, share stories, and enjoy friendships that had lasted a lifetime.
Above all, John was a devoted husband, father, and family man. He was a man of remarkable character who lived with honesty, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. His kindness came naturally, his generosity knew few limits, and he could always be counted on to lend a hand. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures and, most importantly, in sharing those moments with family and friends.
John will be remembered not only for the life he lived, but for the love he gave so freely, the example he set, and the countless lives he touched along the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Zundel, Sr. and Ellie Zundel, and brother, Paul Zundel, Jr.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 47 years, Deborah Zundel; daughters, Jennifer Forest (Rusty), and Kate Zundel; grandchildren, Judd Forest, Briggs Forest, and Charlie Forest; sister, Nancy Zundel; nephew, Paul Zundell III, and numerous other family and friends.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved.