Paul Hendrixson Gunter, 82, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at his home in Summerville.
Funeral service will be held at 4 o’clock, Saturday, October 4, 2008 at James A. Dyal Funeral Home Chapel, Summerville. Entombment will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens, Summerville. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at the funeral home.
Mr. Gunter was born June 24, 1926, in a coal camp at Walens Creek, Kentucky, the youngest son of Elijah and Mabel Hicks Gunter. He attended the schools of McDowell County, North Carolina and at the age of 13, decided he wanted to see the Northwest United States. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked to help build roads and parks along the Washington-Oregon border. After completion of his assignment, he returned to North Carolina where he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 14. He was trained as a UDT (forerunner of today’s Navy Seals) and served in the Pacific with crews responsible for clearing the way for Allied Forces retaking the Pacific Islands from Japan.
While on leave from the Navy, he met and married Doris Jimison in February 1947. Later that year, he left the Navy and joined the United States Army Air Corps just before it became the United States Air Force, from which he retired in 1964. He, Doris and their 3 daughters settled in the Summerville home they had built themselves.
Mr. Gunter was a member and Past Master of Summerville Lodge #234 A.F.M and also of Egeria Lodge #71. He was a member and Past Patron of both Summerville and Harido Chapters, OES. He was Past President of the CAFB Square and Compass Club. He worked over 30 years as an advisor for Arc-en-Ciel Assembly IORG.
Mr. Gunter is predeceased by his parents, all 5 brothers and sisters, 1 grandchild and his beloved wife. He is survived by 3 daughters, Linda Overstreet of Conway, Rebecca Strawman of Walterboro and Paula Wheeldon of Summerville, 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Shriners Children Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.