Thursday, October 1, 2026
Gregory Jon Lunz was born on March 16, 1947 in Seattle Washington to Janice Lehmann Lunz and Ewald Lunz. He died peacefully on January 9, 2026 in the arms of his beloved wife of 41 years, Sharon Lunz. A man of so many talents, Greg was kind, courageous and humble. His friends and family remember him as a gifted teacher, a perceptive listener, an astute observer, and a wise and gentle friend. When Greg was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, doctors told him he had months to live. Every day since, he treated life as a gift, continually inspiring his community with his grace, resilience, and adaptability.
From a young age it was clear that Greg’s deep curiosity and love of the outdoors would lead to a life of adventure. From working as a “rink rat” and teaching younger kids to figure skate at the Ballard Ice Arena when he was just eleven years old, to scuba diving in high school, to camping adventures in the San Juans with young cousins in tiny rowboats, he embraced a uniquely active life. Even while working his first traditional job for “Ma Bell” as a young man, Greg sought out uncommon opportunities such as laying and splicing submarine telephone cable across Puget Sound.
Greg enlisted in the Marines right out of High School and married his high school sweetheart Kathy Ballou. Together, they had a daughter, Monica. While his first marriage was short-lived, Greg treasured his closeness to Monica, and his beloved grandchildren, Aleah and Devin.
Greg’s spirit of adventure led him to Leavenworth in 1979. He quit his secure job, sold his home in Seattle, and partnered with close friends to buy Haus Rohrbach, a 13-room bed and breakfast on 15 acres on the edge of town. He helped build and run the business for five years before moving on to working in property management. Greg met Sharon in Leavenworth in 1980, and the rest is a beautiful history. They joined hands and hearts as they embarked together on a life filled with adventures. River rafting brought them together initially and was a mainstay throughout their lives as long as Greg was able. Greg guided for 15 years and, together with Sharon, ran rivers throughout the west and internationally, including nine trips down the Grand Canyon. Greg was equally passionate about cross-country skiing and stood out for his gracefulness on skis. He was a patient ski instructor who loved introducing others to the sport. Greg and Sharon spent their free time enjoying wilderness sea kayaking expeditions in Alaska and British Columbia, road tripping in their VW van, hiking and camping in the Cascades and Utah, and travelling internationally. Through his myriad adventures, he collected libraries’ worth of stories, which he recounted often to the rapt attention of his friends and family.
A true renaissance man, there was nothing he couldn’t do or fix. He was the person you wanted along on every wilderness adventure, because if something went wrong, he could calmly deal with it. This ability and quiet confidence lead Greg and Sharon to decide to build their own home. In 1987, learning from friends as they went, they framed the walls, hung the doors, and placed the rafters of what would become their forever home. Nestled in a meadow along Icicle Creek, with views of the Enchantments, this home and its regular wildlife visitors were a great source of solace to Greg as he became less mobile in later years. Hanging out on the porch watching “nature tv” with a cat curled up on his lap became a favorite pastime.
Greg treasured the incredible community of dear friends that supported him and Sharon throughout his long cancer journey. These deep friendships developed over a lifetime of sharing adventures and being there for each other in times of both celebration and need. The loving care of Naseta, his caregiver in his last months, was a particular gift. Greg is survived by his wife Sharon Lunz; daughter Monica Adams; granddaughter Aleah Adams; grandson Devin Adams; and an unusually close extended family of brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Ewald and Janice Lunz, his sister Nancy Lunz, and brother Gary Lunz.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust in Wenatchee, WA.
