Richard Gunter

Richard Gunter, Sr., 63 year-old longtime Seminole resident passed from this life and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 22, 2008 north of Seminole in a tragic auto accident. He was born November 15, 1944 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to parents Robert Lee Gunter and Ida Mae (Raney) Gunter.rnrnRichard attended Okmulgee Public Schools and served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967, where he earned the National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He married Donna Southern on May 4, 1963 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.rnrnRichard had worked as a truck driver and then managed Otasco in Seminole for several years. He later became manager for the Sherwin William?s paint store in Seminole where he worked for several years. He was currently working as a surveillance operator for the Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Richard was also involved with his community as a former member and 32 degree mason of the Seminole Masonic Lodge. Richard also helped during the Seminole, ?Gusher Day?s? festival. He was a member of the Cornerstone Tabernacle Church in Sasakwa, Oklahoma.rnrnHe leaves to cherish is memory his wife of 45 years, Donna Gunter and their beloved miniature dachshund, ?Missy?, of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard Gunter, Jr. and wife Tanya Gunter; one daughter, Rhonda (Gunter) Kanard; mother-in-law, Ricky Southern of Henryetta, Oklahoma; two grandsons, Bailey Gunter and his companion Kristen Stith of Wewoka, Oklahoma and J.T. Gunter of Wewoka, Oklahoma; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Dolly Gunter of Park City, Montana and Coy and Ruth Gunter of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; one sister, Alma Huddleston of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; three sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cleta Southern of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Veta and Bob Repsher of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Vickie and Eddie Mosco of Henryetta, Oklahoma.rnrnA few hours after Richard?s accident, his first great granddaughter was born, Braylee Breann Gunter of Wewoka, Oklahoma.rnrnRichard is preceded in death by; his parents; one brother Floyd Gunter in November 2007; his father-in-law, ?Bunny? Southern in October 2007 and one brother-in-law, Garland Southern in 1970.rnrnFuneral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ? Wednesday ? May 28, 2008 at the Heartland Family Church, located at 214 West Strothers Avenue in Seminole, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Little Cemetery north of Seminole with Military Honors. Rev. Bill Chesser will officiate the service.rnrnCasket bearers will be; Jason Brinker - Kevin Merriman, Jr. ? Phillip Hogue ? Josh Merriman ? Tony Powell and Hugh Megee.rnrnHonorary bearers will be; Zach Megee ? Gavin Megee ? Kevin Merriman, Sr. ? William Chesser ? Billy Chesser - Tom Taylor and Cliff Ruminer.rnrnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home ? Seminole, Oklahoma.rnrnrn Funeral Information: May 27, 2008, 2:00 AM