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Obituary of John S. Gunter, Jr.
MAJ. John Sullivan Gunter Jr. USAF (Ret.)
Feb 6, 1949 - May 2, 2021 (72)
MAJOR JOHN SULLIVAN GUNTER, JR. (RETIRED)
February 6, 1949 - May 2, 2021
Major John S. Gunter Jr., (Retired), age 72, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 2nd due to a cardiac event. It came as a total shock to his family, loved ones and friends. His passing was way too soon. He leaves behind a void in our hearts that can never be filled. We will remember John as a caring, giving, loving, beautiful individual to all who were involved in his life. John was a loving husband and soulmate to wife, Ari; father to John S. Gunter, IV (Kelly); grandfather to Addison and Levi; brother to Anne Bray (Bill) and Bruce Gunter (Mary); uncle to Matt and Bryan Gunter (Chelsy); step-father to Frank Hendricks; dog-dad to his beloved Lovee & Sasha, and loyal friend to many more. John was preceded in death by his loving parents John and Timmie Gunter.
John was a graduate of Satellite High School, class of 1967. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he earned the top rank of Eagle Scout. John was a tremendous athlete growing up in Satellite Beach. As a high school freshman, John represented Satellite High as a state finalist diver, finishing 8th overall. After playing quarterback his junior year for the Satellite High Scorpions, he was recruited by several universities such as Florida, Miami, Alabama, and Tennessee.
On one particular play during his junior year, at a crucial point in a game, facing 4th and one at the 50-yard line, he opted for a quarterback sneak to just get the first down to keep the drive alive and win the game. As he approached the line, seeing there was no defensive player to the right of his center, he received the snap and crossed the scrimmage line, broke to the right, skirted down the sideline untouched for a 50-yard touchdown!
Unfortunately, a knee injury derailed any aspirations to play football at the college level.
After high school, he entered the University of Florida and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1971. While attending the University of Florida, he was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC military program, and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant to begin his distinguished military career. John was also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Florida. As a freshman, John was on the UF track and field team and competed in the javelin throw. In the spring of his sophomore year, on a dare from some of his Pike brothers, he tried out for a position with the Gator Varsity Cheerleading Squad and was selected for the 1969-1970 football and basketball seasons. He became a UF Letterwinner for that accomplishment, becoming the first of any Satellite High School graduate to letter at UF. He is now a lifetime member of the distinguished Letterman's F CLUB at the University of Florida.
He served at numerous military installations throughout the United States and abroad. His assignments included Moody AFB (Valdosta, GA.), Mather AFB (Sacramento CA.), K.I. Sawyer AFB (Marquette, MI. Strategic Air Command), Eielson AFB (Fairbanks, AK.), Maxwell AFB (Montgomery, AL) and finally Charleston AFB (Charleston, S.C.). He was an attaché’ to a General and flew numerous times to Europe and to many TDY's. John also served in Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. During his military career, John earned his MBA in Business Administration. While with the Air Force, John was both a Navigator and an Electronic Warfare Officer. He was awarded many ribbons and medals. These include the following: Air Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Longevity Service Award, National Defense Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Southeast Asia Service Medal. After 20 years of service to his country, he retired with the rank of Major. With his lifelong love of flying, it’s no wonder that John also had a private pilot’s license.
In October of 1972, while stationed at Mather AFB, John’s brother, Bruce, flew into town for a visit. John picked-up Bruce from the Sacramento Airport, in the early morning hours. While driving back to base quarters, they came upon a horrific, wrong-way, head-on car accident on the freeway that had just occurred seconds before. Since emergency responders were not yet on the scene, John jumped into action and pulled a young girl from her heavily damaged car and helped administer CPR and first aid. Later, John found out that the young girl survived. Her father wrote John’s commanding officer a letter of deep appreciation for his actions in helping to save his daughter’s life, stating “If it weren’t for Lt. John Gunter’s quick response, my daughter might not be alive today.” John was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his actions in this incident.
John was a member of the National Ski Patrol Rescue team performing emergency rescue missions.
In the late 90s, John eventually found his way back to Brevard County where he became involved in his son's track and baseball sports at Satellite High School. He was an advocate of Veterans Affairs, helping many Vets fill-out paperwork to make sure that they received the military benefits they were due. He also volunteered endless hours to helping make sure our Brevard County military vets, including the homeless, received shelter, clothing, food, healthcare, dental, psychological and any other benefits veterans need in these times. To further show his support for veterans, John always had a POW/MIA flag hanging in his front yard.
In his spare time, John liked to participate in competitive target shooting events and belonged to the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club. He traveled to many states to compete and was considered a true marksman. He always participated in the annual Toys for Tots bike run on his 3-wheel motorcycle. Also, being an avid photographer, John donated his time at Harmony Farms photographing challenged kids who were riding horses as a form of therapy to help with their well-being. With his military security clearance, John volunteered to work inside of the Olympic village, during the 1996 summer Olympics, in Atlanta, Georgia.
John’s priorities in life were God, Family and Country.
If you were a friend of John's, it was for life. He was always optimistic, had a contagious smile and loved life. He has left us way too soon, but memories of him will live in our hearts forever.
Happy Trails, Until We Meet Again...
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
BREVARD VETERANS RESOURCE NETWORK (321) 752-5502 or
THE WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT (855) 448-3997
The Wounded Warriors Project. Link: Wounded Warriors Project
Click the link below to view the memorial slideshow:
Major John S. Gunter, Jr. Memorial Slideshow
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