John Gunter

John P. Gunter, 93,of 26 Leslie Miller Drive, Candler, formerly of Newport, TN, went home to be with our lord and savior, June 25, 2000. He was well known throughout our area for his singing in Medical offices, Hospitals and Nursing Facilities. He was loved by all. In his declining health he never forgot his Lord Jesus. He worshipped him through his singing to everyone, and was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure to hear him. He was a son of the late George and Mary McGaha Gunter. He also was preceded in death by two sons, John Albert Gunter, Loyd Everett Gunter, two daughters, Daris Marie Vazquez and Mary Lucinda Gunter. Survivors include his wife Lucy Gentry Smith Gunter; two daughters Carolyn C. Davis of Candler, and Geraldine Salgoda and her husband David of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Gunter of Candler; forty grandchildren, eighty great-grandchildren, twenty great-great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Myrtle Gunter of Newport, TN, Glenn and Velda Gunter of Carleton, MI; a sister Roxie Davis of Pisgah Forest and a number of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two very dear friends and caregivers, Lois Christopher and Mary McCone of Emerald Ridge Nursing Facility.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Revs. Marvin Watts and Benson Galloway will officiate. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery with pallbearers being Jimmy and Terry Vazquez, David Salgada, Sam Gentry, Jim Sitton and Shane Davis.

His family will receive friends 7-8:30 Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 16, Asheville, NC 28802.

To sign the on-line register, log on at www.grocefuneralhome.com.