Claremore Daily Progress

Obituaries

January 28, 2013

John Curtis Gunn

Staff Reports Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — Funeral service for John Curtis Gunn will be 2 p.m., Mon., Jan. 28, at the First Baptist Church of Claremore with Rev. Weldon Foster officiating.  Burial with military honors by the U.S. Army will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory.

Curtis went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, after a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old.

The first of six children born to Walter Allen Gunn and Mittie (Barrett) Gunn was born July 30, 1935, in Reidsville, NC.

To describe Curtis in one paragraph would not be possible, as anyone who had ever met him could attest.  He was a man of many talents and skills, with an unquenchable thirst for learning.  From picking tobacco as a child to running a service station to being the milkman and breadman to being a member of the ambulance crew to service 23 years as a Claremore

Fireman, retiring in 1995, due to health reasons, with the rank of Captain.  Many people remember him as the music man.  He opened his shop up for 35 years to musicians to come and play and they did, coming locally, regionally and nationally. Even some very well-known professional singers would just stop by to pick and sing a little, because they had heard of Curtis and his music.  Also there was always a dance and most likely something to eat.  What many people never knew was Curtis couldn't sing or play an instrument.  He operated the soundboard.  A logical person would have just bought themselves a radio, but not Curtis.  That never occured to to him-he built a stage. The title he enjoyed most of all was that of friend, who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Curtis was preceded in death by son, John Curtis Gunn, Jr.;  his parents, Walter A. and Mittie Barrett Gunn;  and brother, Walter Junior Gunn.

He is survived by his wife, Alieta Hildebrand Gunn of the home;

daughter, Karen Ogle and husband, Mark of Claremore; grandchildren: Sean Gunn of Hawaii, and Jacob, Mackenzie, Parker, and Kaidee Ogle of Claremore;  brothers:  Don Gunn of Madison, NC, and Nelson Gunn and wife, Mona of Elon, N.C.;  sisters:  Brenda Ward and husband, Bill of Wentworth, NC, and Jewell Dull and husband, Larry of Greensboro, NC; sisters-in-law, Sonja Gunn of Madison, NC, Jean Gunn of Wentworth, NC..,

Nellie Huff of Texas, and Louise Webb of Claremore;  brother-in-law, Coy Hildebrand of Claremore;  as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, P.O. Box 33234, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74153-1234 or the charity of your choice.

Leave your memories of Curtis and view his tribute online at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com.

Text Only
Obituaries
  • Bonnie Mae Thompson

    Graveside service for Bonnie Mae Thompson will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens with Rev. David Alessi officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

    May 21, 2013

  • Bonnie Lou Jones

    Funeral service for Bonnie Lou Jones will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, at New Hope Church of God with Rev. Mark Tincher officiating. Burial follows in Oakhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Inola Funeral Home & Crematory.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home Tuesday 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 4-6 p.m. Bonnie passed away Friday, May 17, 2013, at her home at the age of 53.

    May 21, 2013

  • Juanita 'Nita' Ramm

    Funeral service for Juanita “Nita” Ramm will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Pastor Mark Burger will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be at the funeral home 1-8 p.m. Tuesday with family greeting friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Nita passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the age of 83.

    May 21, 2013

  • Richard Dale Williams

    Funeral service for Richard Dale Williams will be 11 a.m., Wed., May 22, at Inola Christian Church with Revs. Steve Cable and Jim Page officiating.  Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of the Inola Funeral Home & Crematory.  Visitation will be at the funeral home Tues. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 5-7 p.m.

    May 21, 2013

  • J.C. McAfee

    Services for J.C. McAfee will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013 in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 1-8 p.m. at the funeral home, with family receiving visitors from 6-8. p.m.

    May 21, 2013

  • Arthur Roy “Art” Wentworth III

    Arthur Roy “Art” Wentworth III of Claremore passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from complications of diabetes.  He was born in Compton, CA on April 20, 1943 to Myrtle (Boone) Wentworth and Arthur Roy Wentworth II.

    May 16, 2013

  • Fred Lee Hemphill

     Fred Lee Hemphill was born on April 22, 1923 in Chelsea, Okla. to James Goodman Hemphill and Lucy Mae (Adams) Hemphill. He graduated from Chelsea High School.

    May 14, 2013

  • John M. Coffman Jr.

    Memorial Services for John M. Coffman have been scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Hayhurst Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Rev. Bill Pylate will officiate.

    May 14, 2013

  • Rebecca Lynn Cook

    Rebecca made the journey to heaven on May 5, 2013. She battled cancer of many kinds for the past seven years. She never lost faith in God, claiming victory all the way to the end. She was so spirited and full of life. She loved and cared deeply for all her friends she met through the consignment shops. She loved to visit. Rebecca enjoyed life.

    May 8, 2013

  • Billy Gene Potts

    Funeral service for Billy Gene Potts will be 11 a.m., Thurs., May 9, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church with Rev. Stephen Posey officiating.  Burial with military honors by the U.S. Navy will follow at Lone Elm Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory.

    May 8, 2013