In my younger years it was Grampy...and then some where down the line Grampy shortened to Gramps.
As you know from my previous post, he passed away the week before Thanksgiving.
On Saturday we gathered to remember him. It was very moving service and it was nice to hear some good work stories. Gramps worked many years for the Highway Dept, now known as ODOT. Mostly worked in the Southern part of the state. After he retired from ODOT he went to work for Albina Fuel and worked there until a few years ago. My Gramps lived a good healthy life and proved to be a very hard worker.
I met some family I hadn't met...okay well we met one other time, but I was only a year old then. My dad's extended family was just not ones we ever gathered with or did family things with. So it was a pleasure to meet them all. It just sucks it was for the reason it was.
The service was held at Willamette University's Cone Chapel and the day was beautiful (and a tad on the chilly freezing side). Below are a few pictures for us to remember the day and the family we share.
My Great Aunt Shirley and Great Uncle Rex with their children (the cousins I met for the first time) and my Aunt Lael on the end.
My brother, cousin Janet, SIL Aimee and cousin Lee (and yes...there is something different about my brother if you know him at all. I'm told it's not staying long..which is good cause it looks WEIRD)
Ruby and Rebekah enjoying some cousin time
Aunt Lael with Rebekah
This was my grandpa's obituary as published in the local newspaper.
John Lee Gunter
August 1, 1925 - November 14, 2011
KEIZER - John Lee Gunter passed away on November 14, 2011 at the age of 86. John was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 1, 1925, to Joe Lee Gunter and Willie Elizabeth Ray Gunter. When he was a year old the family moved to Fort Stockton, Texas, where he grew up. His passion was being a cowboy and throughout his life he still thought of himself as a cowboy. He loved going to rodeos. John honorably served in the U. S. Navy right out of high school. He was a 2nd Class Petty Officer during World War II. After serving his country he went to work for the Oregon State Highway Department, (now ODOT). He worked in several capacities, i.e. laborer, surveyor, highway maintenance and then became a District Highway Maintenance Engineer. His districts included Coquille, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Klamath Falls, Corvallis and Salem. He excelled in his 43 years with the department. He worked with many different people and made friends with most of them. John retired in 1986 and immediately went to work for Albina Fuel out of Portland. Retired from there at the age of 83 (2008). He took great pride in his work. It was important to do the best job he knew how.
John was a member of the Episcopal Church and served as a Jr./Sr. Warden in Roseburg. John was a life time member of the Elks Club and also was a Rotarian in Klamath Falls.
John married Zola Beatrice Miller in 1944, and was divorced in 1984. His children include John Gunter, Jr, (wife, Randi) Canby; Jeffrey Gunter, (wife Win), Silverton, Lael Gunter Cooksley (husband Darrell), Redmond. He has 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. In 1996, John married Shirley (Erickson) Calahan. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley, step-son Jeffery Erickson, and 4 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. His family was his continual pride and joy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to St. Jude's Children Hospital.
John Lee Gunter
August 1, 1925 - November 14, 2011
KEIZER - John Lee Gunter passed away on November 14, 2011 at the age of 86. John was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 1, 1925, to Joe Lee Gunter and Willie Elizabeth Ray Gunter. When he was a year old the family moved to Fort Stockton, Texas, where he grew up. His passion was being a cowboy and throughout his life he still thought of himself as a cowboy. He loved going to rodeos. John honorably served in the U. S. Navy right out of high school. He was a 2nd Class Petty Officer during World War II. After serving his country he went to work for the Oregon State Highway Department, (now ODOT). He worked in several capacities, i.e. laborer, surveyor, highway maintenance and then became a District Highway Maintenance Engineer. His districts included Coquille, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Klamath Falls, Corvallis and Salem. He excelled in his 43 years with the department. He worked with many different people and made friends with most of them. John retired in 1986 and immediately went to work for Albina Fuel out of Portland. Retired from there at the age of 83 (2008). He took great pride in his work. It was important to do the best job he knew how.
John was a member of the Episcopal Church and served as a Jr./Sr. Warden in Roseburg. John was a life time member of the Elks Club and also was a Rotarian in Klamath Falls.
John married Zola Beatrice Miller in 1944, and was divorced in 1984. His children include John Gunter, Jr, (wife, Randi) Canby; Jeffrey Gunter, (wife Win), Silverton, Lael Gunter Cooksley (husband Darrell), Redmond. He has 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. In 1996, John married Shirley (Erickson) Calahan. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley, step-son Jeffery Erickson, and 4 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. His family was his continual pride and joy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to St. Jude's Children Hospital.
2 comments:
My condolences, Elizabeth. He sounds like a wonderful man.
Lovely service, dear heart, filled with so many people who adored him.
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