Joseph Gunter

Joseph Dwayne Gunter, 80; passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at his home in Kaufman surrounded by his family. Joseph was born October 6, 1933 to Grady Lee and Lizzie Mae Gunter in Anna, Texas. He was the middle son of three boys. Joseph would meet and later marry Jo Ann Shryock on December 21, 1953 in Miami, Oklahoma. Joseph went on to service his country with honor and distinction in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1954 to 1956. He later joined the Mesquite Fire Department in 1960, retiring as a Captain in 1989. Joseph would receive the Fireman of the Year Award in 2007 in recognition of the accomplishments and dedication during his 29 years of service for the department. Joseph would go on to operate his own businesses including a television repair service and a commercial lawn service. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 928 in Mesquite, Texas for over forty-five years. In 1979, Joseph and Jo Ann retired to Kaufman, Texas where he built his house and barn and called it Red Gate Farm. Joseph was a man of faith. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a young man growing up in Weston, Texas. He remained faithful to Christ until his homegoing last Tuesday. Joseph and Jo Ann taught their children well and set the example of a Christian life and marriage well lived. This is a man who will truly be missed by all who knew him; especially those who knew him best - his family. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Lizzie Gunter and his brother, Grady Gunter. Those left to celebrate his life include Jo Ann Gunter, the light of his life for sixty years; son, John Gunter; daughters, Kathy Childress and her husband Michael, Carol Imburgia and her husband Steve; grandchildren, Derek Childress and his wife Tabatha, Erin Krueger and her husband Kirt, Stephen Imburiga and Chase Childress; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Savannah, Peyton, Aiden and Claire; brother, Walter Gunter; numerous extended family, friends, neighbors and his faithful dog, Sandy. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held the same day, Friday, September 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Reverend Charles Aaron will officiate. Interment will immediately follow the service at Oakland Memorial Park in Terrell. "Well done, Thou good and faithful servant... Enter now into the joy of thy Lord".