Obituaries

Surrounded by his family, Roy Neil Gunter, 82, went into the presence of his Lord on Monday, September 14, 2009 at Legends Healthcare. He was a resident of Paris. Roy Neil Gunter was born on December 31, 1926 in the West Post Oak Community in Lamar County the son of Roy J. and Vesta Smith Gunter. He married Betty Edington on April 14, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Greenville, Texas making 62 years of memories. Neil in his earlier years worked for Ideal Bread and Lamar Creamery, operated a Texaco and Conoco Gas Stations, and was in the trucking business. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, a member of the Paris Masonic Lodge (32nd degree Mason), past member of the Paris Rodeo and Horse Club, and the Lamar County Sheriff’s Posse. He proudly served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. Neil raised and trained Quarter Horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He loved animals especially his dog and enjoyed listening to blue grass music. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister June Gunter Nabors, and a son Ken Gunter. Surviving are his spouse Betty Gunter of Paris; children Sharon and Danny Martin of Paris, Kay and Tommy Nichols of Mt. Pleasant, Dennis and Ann Thomas Gunter of Paris and Rita and Timothy Norris of Paris. The joy of his life were his grandchildren and great- grandchildren Jeffrey Martin and wife Brittany of Paris, Shelly Martin Pack and husband Bill of San Antonio, Traci Gunter Davis and husband Paul of Grand Prairie, Melissa Gunter Gibson and husband Brandon of Paris, Cassie Nichols of Brooklyn, NY, Jana Gunter Allen and husband Zachary of Deport, David and Angie Thomas of Georgia Community, Elizabeth and Troy Albert of Paris, Emily Gunter of Paris, Jamie Kay Norris Eady of Canton, and Kevin and Janna Norris of Tigertown and great grandchildren Molly and McKenzie Martin, Jordan and Emma Davis, Meredith and Marlee Pack, Kellan and Piper Gibson, Kaylee and Carson Thomas, Devin Faber, and Taylor and Payton Norris. He is also survived by a niece Becky Nabors Schaefer; nephews Dickie Nabors and Ronnie Nabors; an aunt Alla Mae Smith; and numerous cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Elliott officiating. Burial will follow in the Meadowbrook Gardens with Jeff Martin, Bill Pack, Paul Davis, Brandon Gibson, David Thomas, Zach Allen, and Troy Albert serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be J.T. Stephens, Dr. Wally Kraft, and Larry Buster. Family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7