| Graduation Year | Class of 1951 |
| Date of Passing | Oct 21, 2007 |
| About | Obit-Larry A. Gunter-Sand Creek Class of 1951 BATTLE CREEK — Larry A. Gunter, 74, died on Oct. 21, 2007, succumbing to a long struggle with cancer. He was the son of Troy and Hazel (Barhite) Gunter from Lyons, Ohio. Born in Adrian, Mich., April 11, 1933, he moved at an early age with his family to Sand Creek, Mich. He graduated from Sand Creek High School in 1951. In 1952 he married the Rosemary Hough of Fairfield, Mich. The marriage ended in divorce, but produced three sons. Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force in June of 1951, during the Korean War. He was trained as a crew member of a B-29 bomber in the position of gunner operating a radio controlled 50-caliber turret machine gun. After discharge from the Air Force, Larry attended Adrian College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He taught high school English and Political Science at Madison High School, and in Chesterfield, Ohio, and Adrian. He also served as a basketball and baseball coach and referee. He then competed for and won a position at Wayne State University in a special program to become an employment counselor for unemployed youth in Detroit. He later transferred to Adrian and then to Jackson as a Rehabilitation Counselor. He worked with persons with disabilities and helped them become physically and mentally able to engage in training and employment opportunities. During this time he completed his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Siena Heights University, taking many of his classes at U of M. In 1968, he was appointed District Manager of the newly opened three-county district office of Michigan Rehabilitation Services in Battle Creek. While serving as District Manager, he lived in Battle Creek, Bellevue and Hastings. Larry retired in 1992 and returned to Battle Creek in 1997. Larry’s hobbies and interests included golfing, gardening, reading, league bowling and caring for his numerous cats. He was an avid U of M fan and sports enthusiast and enjoyed traveling widely throughout the southern states and Upper Peninsula. Larry married the love of his life, Mary Therese O’Connor, of Jackson, in 1974. She survives him. He is also survived by his beloved sons and daughter, Steve A. (Vicki), Dan A. (Shelly), Bruce A. (Anita) and Juli Hashiguchi. He also leaves his grandchildren, Courtney, Nikki, Ben (Kayce), Tim, Nicholas, Christopher, Connie, Kieran and Morgan; great-granddaughter, Alexa, as well as his brother and sisters, Stanley (Alma), Phyllis (Louie) Vehmeier and Evelyn (Wilbur) Reitz, several nieces and nephews and special friends, Dick and Carol Noid and Vicki Rafferty. Larry’s family wishes to express a special thanks to the Good Samaritan Hospice Care and BCHS Staff. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Royal Funeral Home, 281 Upton Ave., Battle Creek. Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, at Royal Funeral Home with Pastor David Boedecker officiating. Interment with military honors will take place at 2 p.m. Friday. Memorial contributions may be given to the animal shelter of the donor’s choice, Fraternal Order of Police, American Cancer Society or American Legion Post #298. |
