James Harley Gunter, Jr.'s Obituary
CLAUDE SERVICES- 2:00 pm Wednesday, December 28, 2011 in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Dr. Travis Hart and Rev. Dick Gravley, officiating. INTERMENT- Claude Cemetery in Claude. Arrangements are by Robertson Armstrong Chapel of Claude. James was born seven miles northwest of Claude November 19, 1922. He walked and rode horseback four miles to the first grade at Conway School. He transferred to Claude for his second grade and graduated from Claude High School May, 1940. He entered Texas Tech the following fall. During his high school and college years he was active in F.F.A. He received his Lone Star and American Farmer degrees and served as a state and national F.F.A. officer. January 1943 he entered the Armed Forces of served as a B-24 pilot during World War II. After the war he reentered Texas Tech and graduated in 1947 with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry. During this time he was active in Block and Bridle, Student Council, Aggie Club Saddle Tramps, and Alpha Chi. He married LaNell Doshier on January 25, 1947. After college graduation he and LaNell returned to Claude living at the R.E. Boone place three miles north of Claude. In 1955 they purchased and moved to their present home location where they worked together in stock farming, raising their four children and enjoying grandchildren and great-grandchildren. James was a stock farmer in Armstrong and Carson counties for 58 years. He was an active member of the community serving as member and president of the Claude School Board, director of Mid Plains Rural Telephone Cooperation, Texas Farm Bureau, Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, a Master Mason of the Claude Masonic Lodge, Harold Gist Post of American Legion and a member of the Claude First Baptist Church. PRECEDED IN DEATH BY - his parents, Harley and Ophie Gunter; a brother, H.L. Gunter; and a sister, Mary Kathryn McManigal. SURVIVORS - his wife, LaNell, son, Brooks and wife Jan Gunter, son, Gary and wife Ina Gunter, daughter, Martha and husband Steve Mathews all of Claude, and daughter, Karen and husband Steven Lermann, of Sagerton; fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; two nephews and three nieces. MEMORIALS - The family request memorials be sent to Armstrong County Museum, Claude Cemetery, or First Baptist Church, all of Claude, Texas 79019.
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