Johnie Carl Gunn

Johnie Carl Gunn, of Groesbeck, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014, at Continuing Care Hospital in Temple, at age 77. He was a survivor of cancer but suffered a severe fall on the steps of the Limestone County Courthouse a month ago, with further health complications from the fall. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon through 1:00 before the funeral in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Chris Kenner of Palestine officiating and his son-in-law, Frank Oswald delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Wortham Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hunter Oswald, Dr. Kanon Oswald, Frank Oswald, Dr. Coleman Gray, Bruce Bryan, and Michael Turner. Johnie was born December 10, 1936 to Carl Jefferson Gunn and Dorothy Adell (Frost) Gunn in Corsicana. He grew up in Richland, where he played basketball for Richland High School and graduated as Salutatorian of his class. Johnie served in the Army National Guard. He lived in Palestine and had a career in the oil industry. He worked for Mosbacher Production Co. for twenty years and was Vice President of RAM Drilling. While living in Palestine, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Johnie was united in marriage with Janice Wilkins on March 17, 1984 in The Woodlands, where they made their home through 2005. Johnie changed careers to work as a private consultant, which resulted in many interesting experiences in his travels. He worked on Sakhalin Island above Japan, which was quite an adventure; and he worked for five years as a consultant in Russia (Siberia.) After thirty days there he would come home for thirty days to be with his family and restock his food supplies to take back for the next thirty days. In spite of the winter blizzards and huge mosquitoes in the springtime, he loved his time there and enjoyed the Russian people. He tried to teach them English, and he and Janice entertained some of them in Houston. Johnie retired for the third and final time when he and Janice moved to Groesbeck in 2006. He enjoyed visiting with his friends daily at Mary’s Burger Barn for a session at the round table. When not visiting he loved reading. Johnie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck. Johnie was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Janice Gunn of Groesbeck; brother, Dr. L. Ray Gunn and wife Karen of Salt Lake City, Utah; three daughters and sons-in-law: Kathy and Bruce Bryan of Georgetown, Becky and Frank Oswald of Tomball, and Misty and Dr. Coleman Gray of Palestine. He has five grandchildren: Kasey and husband Michael Turner of Taylor, Caroline Gray of Palestine, Keaton Gray of Palestine, Hunter Oswald of Austin, and Dr. Kanon Oswald of Tomball; and three great grandchildren: Kaylee Turner, Jacob Turner, and Garrett Turner of Taylor. Last but not least, he is being missed by his two pets, Andrew and Skeeter.