Joe Clinton Gunter

Joe was born June 7, 1942, in Nacogdoches, TX to Grady and Signa Jean Gunter. He attended a few different elementary schools before settling into junior high and beginning high school in Texas City, TX. While there Joe’s athletic abilities were recognized and rewarded when he received the Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player award, as a freshman. In 1959 his family moved to East Texas where he attended Cushing High School until graduation in 1960. Joe’s talent led him to play basketball and study at Jacksonville Baptist College. On November 23, 1962, Joe made his lifelong vows to Diana Sue (Suzy) Pittman. Growing up, he always dreamt of being a cowboy. When he was 21 years old, he decided to make it happen. Joe bought a horse and learned to rope with his buddies Jimmy and Gerald Gresham. A fierce competitor in the arena, Joe’s roping career spanned two decades until a knee operation made riding too painful. He decided to trade his spurs for a set of clubs and hit the golf course. Joe was an avid sportsman and loved all things competition. Joe worked for the State of Texas until 1982 when he began working for Phillips Petroleum in Douglass, TX. He continued in the “gas patch” until retirement. Once retired, he decided to join Rusk I.S.D. as a bus driver. Joe loved this role immensely, continuing to drive his honorary grandkids until he became ill. Joe was awarded Driver of the Year 2021-2022. Joe and Suzy became parents in 1964 and grandparents in 1987. This is when Joe became Jojo. He was a father of 3, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of 11 (with one still on the way). He was good at so many things, but being Jojo had to be his best work. He loved his family so well; always ready with a joke, a prank, followed by a tight hug, a game of golf, or a serenade in the truck. Loving people and being loved in return came naturally to Joe. He made many vibrant friendships throughout his lifetime and wanted to thank a few—his best friend and mentor Richard Stowers and his special roping friend Harold Sheppard. At the end of his life, he was sent two angels to watch over him; Jeri Cleveland, RN, and Dorothy Session from Heart to Heart Hospice. These four individuals may never grasp the true impact they had on not only Joe but his community and family around him. Thank you for everything, from everyone in the Gunter group. Joe Clinton Gunter went to be with his Lord and Savior during the evening hours of March 28, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Joe was dedicated to his faith and his church, Church on the Rock in Rusk. He loved the Lord with great fervor and sang His praises each Sunday as the Worship Leader. Joe is preceded in death by his father, Grady; his mother Signa; and his little brother, Ronny. He is survived by his wife, Suzy as well as their children; Dede and husband BJ Wiseman of Kilgore, Robby Gunter and wife Micki of Rusk, Jodi and husband Mark King of Alto. Brother; Greg Gunter and wife Freddie of Sacul. Grandchildren; Stormi and husband Nick Glaze, Sierra, Slate, Sara and husband Kody, T.C., Taylor and husband Dalten, Emma and husband Jacob, Brayden, Briley, and Karson. Great-grandchildren; Jaclyn, Griffin, Lincoln, Preslee, Kaylee, Lynlee, Kaul, Kye, Ember, Miley, and Braxton. Honorary children: Brit Clay and Marilyn Nye. Services for Joe Gunter will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at New Faith Church in Sacul, Texas. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a memorial following at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Church on The Rock Building Fund. All gifts can be sent or given to Pastor Greg Gunter, P.O. Box 1 Sacul, Texas 75788. 

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