Cpt. Jerome “Pops” Kunz, a legendary Galveston shrimper whose career spanned more than 80 years, died Monday at the age of 93, his family says.
Kunz’ family believes he was possibly the oldest working shrimper in the country when he passed away.
His daughter-in-law, Nikki Johnson-Kunz, who is known online as the “Texas Shrimp Diva,” tells KPRC 2 her father-in-law had a motto, “If you rest, you rust.”
She says he didn’t believe in taking off of work except in the very worst of storms.
Kunz was born in Galveston in 1933 and started shrimping with his father at the age of 10. At the age of 14, he was pulled out of school and began shrimping full-time. He would become deeply connected to the island’s Mosquito Fleet, a collection of shrimp boats which operate around Pier 19.
Five years ago, Kunz was featured in a video by Visit Galveston on their Youtube page, where he presented his life story.
Kunz and his wife, Carol, raised a family of 10 children on Galveston.
Nikki Johnson-Kunz, who is married to Jerome Kunz’ youngest son, said she had just been out on his boat on Saturday with him. She said he was hunched over. She says he told her he didn’t think he was going to go out the next day and said he thought he was tired.
On Monday, Nikki says the family had planned to gather for their 17 year tradition of having dinner at Kunz’ home.
It was discovered that Kunz had died while tending to his garden earlier in the day.
Kunz’ boat, the St. Vincent, is filled with flowers and gifts in remembrance of him.
Nikki says the family intends to continue the tradition of gathering every Monday night for a meal at Kunz’ home.
