Kurt Shonka, 72, beloved husband, father, brother, papa, and friend, passed away at home on June 17, 2026. He was born on November 23, 1953, in Pensacola, Florida, to parents Harold and Kathleen Shonka.

Kurt graduated from Fletcher High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Florida.

He and Susan Shonka (Oldham) married in 1974 and went on to have two kids, Mark and Kristy. Kurt spent the 1980s as Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Jacksonville, Inc., before taking over as the Mental Health Director at Arlington Family Care Center. Eventually Kurt began The Counseling Group, where he lead a team of counselors helping countless patients. He dedicated his life to various efforts to build people up and contribute to the community.

Throughout the years, Kurt loved to fish, coach, play golf, and watch the Jaguars.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan; son Mark and his wife Camryn; daughter Kristy Miller and her husband Chris; granddaughters Grace Miller and Sunny Shonka; and sisters Lynn Reddish and Kim Thompson and her husband Pat.

Kurt’s parents and brother Scott preceded him in death.

There will be a celebration of life service 11 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Holiday Hill Baptist Church.