Johnnie Lee Gunnell passed away peacefully Tuesday morning July 19, 2016 in his lifelong hometown of DeWitt, Arkansas. He was 84 years old.
He was born in DeWitt on July 4, 1932, the first child of Johnnie Clarence and Louise Wright Gunnell. He was a graduate of DeWitt High School and received a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Arkansas Polytechnic College, now Arkansas Tech University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, which included a tour in Germany.
His work career included Universal CIT Credit Corporation in Little Rock. In 1959, he returned to DeWitt and married Barbara Cochran. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service during this time. Later he worked with DeWitt Shoe Corporation as office manager. He purchased a retail package store, Sportsman Liquor, which he operated for twenty years. He retired in 1998 after ten years with the Arkansas Department of Corrections – Cummins Unit as inmate grievance officer.
He was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, a past president of DeWitt Rotary Club, and a member of DeWitt First United Methodist Church where he had served on numerous committees.
He enjoyed the outdoors – hunting, fishing, and back yard vegetable gardening. He also enjoyed reading, sports, and music. He had an outgoing personality and was a wonderful friend, as well as a devoted family man.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, John Gregory Gunnell.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a daughter, Lee Ann Dietz and husband, Alex, of Heber Springs; son Steven Gunnell of DeWitt; granddaughter Rachel Gunnell; grandson Seth Gunnell; great-grandson James Kyle “Deuce” Ackerson II; step grandson, Donnie Dietz and wife, Christy; step-granddaughter Krysti Meins and husband, Chad; step great grandsons Donnie “Trey” Dietz abd Ethan Dietz; a brother, Clarence Gunnell and his wife, Dottie of DeWitt; and nephews, John Howard and wife Linda, and Jeff and wife Michelle; and numerous cousins.
Pallbearers are John Howard Gunnell, Jeff Gunnell, Seth Gunnell, Donnie Dietz, Shawn Feemster, and Ryan Long.
Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in DeWitt with Reverend Tony Hill officiating at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 21. Visitation will precede the service at 1 p.m. at the church and burial will follow at the DeWitt Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 608 S. Grandview Dr., DeWitt, AR 72042. Arrangements by Essex Funeral Home of DeWitt. www.essexfuneralhome.com
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