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Earl Gunn Obituary

Dr. Earl Walcott Gunn Jr. lived life as there was no tomorrow. The prominent Atlanta dentist and diehard Bulldog fan had quite a ride and he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Earl was born on September 10, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida, to the deceased Hallie Chandler who raised his brother Neal with the same respect and reverence in life. Earl attended Christ the King Grammar School and proceeded on to Marist. He was in the Officer's Club and went on to play in the Team Bowl in Kingsport. His Sophomore year and every year following, his team would win the Region. As President of his Junior class, Earl was on the North Georgia champion football team. When he played, he played to win. He was the Treasurer of the Key Club his junior year and earned a distinguished class medal. His Senior year he was promoted to Lt. Col. of his Battalion. Earl was co-captain of his football team his Senior year as well as an all American AA football athlete and the constitution all-star. As if he didn't have enough to excel in, he swam and ran track as a senior at Marist. He graduated as All City Half Back at Marist.
Earl was accepted at the University of Georgia and told many tales of the "College Life". His beginning major at Georgia was business administration. He was the kid after which many tests were "mysteriously" duplicated. His football efforts at Georgia had him starting at center, which later would prove that Earl was a great defensive end for Wally's bulldog varsity. Earl was co-captain of the freshmen team in the Thanksgiving Day Scottish Rite game vs. GATech. Earl lettered at Georgia in 1951 and 1952. Before his acceptance at Emory UniversityDental School he always regretted having to forgo his senior year as a "Dawg". When Vince Dooley came to Georgia in 1963 he hired Sterling Dupree as a recruiter. Sterling asked Earl to head up the recruiting in Atlanta (in those days alumni could help with the recruiting process). Earl and Sterling helped recruit an outstanding class in the winter of 1964 in Atlanta. That class would include Billy Payne, now chairman of the Augusta Golf Club and several others who formed the nucleus of two SEC champion teams in 1966 and 1968.
Upon leaving Georgia for Emory to pursue Dentistry, Earl joined the United States Air Force to serve his country and fulfill his residency. He would become one of the top Board Certified Dentists in Georgia. His professional career spans a lifetime of accolades which include: Program Chairman – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting 1990, Substitute General Chairman – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting 1987, General Chairman – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting 1986, President -Northern District Dental Society 1983-1984, President – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society 1982-1983, Federal Service – United States Air Force 1957-1959 Honorable Discharge, Rank of Captain. American Dental Association 1957-Life Member, Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society 1960-Present – Past President, Northern District Dental Society 1959- Present – Past President, Georgia Dental Association House of Delegates 1975-1987 – Delegate, Georgia Academy of Dental Practice 1967-1987- Past President, Peachford Hospital 1979-1983- Advisory Board, Georgia Student Education Fund 1970-Present. Some of Earl's Community Organization Activities include: Capital City Club – Life Member, Atlanta Touchdown Club – Past President, G – Club, Northside Youth Organization, Emory University Alumni Society, University of Georgia Alumni Society, and Marist Alumni. His Honors and awards include: National Football – University of Georgia 2004, Foundation and College, Football Hall of Fame, Post Graduate, Achievement Award, Gold Card Recipient – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society 2000, Highest Honor Board of Trustees – Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society 1995-2000, Chairman 1999-2000, Fellow American College of Dentist 1988, Thomas P. Hinman dental Society 1986, Medallion Distinguished Service Northern District Dental Society 1983, Award Honor Fellow Georgia Dental Association 1976.
Earl was honored in 2004 by the University of GeorgiaChapter of the UGAFootball Foundation and Hall of Fame for post graduate achievement. Also honored by the "G"Club since finishing football at Georgia. Earl Gunn was honored by the Wally's Boys Association with the John Rauch loyalty award in the spring of 2013. He was alongtime volunteer coach for the Northside Youth Organization (NYO), coaching his two sons Cody and Michael.
He is survived by his wife, and love of his last 18 years, Toni, and their menagerie of birds and dogs. His bird "Hoodie" will be missing his songs "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" and spiritual hymns, even though they were repeated. He loved the song "I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover" so much that he called his mother-in-law for all the verses so he could sing it correctly.
Earl's children: Dr. Earl W. Gunn III (Cody), Neal Michael Gunn, Susan McKinney Gunn, Lee Ellis Gunn Armour, Amy Chandler Gunn Bortle, were also a very bright spot in his life. He would often brag on Cody's surgical success in Athens, Michael's superior coaching and tenure at Athens Academy, Susan's niche for her EMT and rescue achievementsand Amy and Lee's parenting and teaching careers.The girls often visited with the surviving grandchildren Jack and Brooks Bortle and Gracie and Will Armour. Visiting Big Doc will always hold a special and cherished memory for them. Cody's boys Carter Gunn and Chandler Gunn reside in Athens but definitely hold a mutual place in Doc's heart.
His dental staff were his weekly second family and it actually aggravated Toni that he talked about them so much on the weekends. He loved them like they were his own daughters and was always concerned about their financial well being. At Earl's office they will continue to welcome patients with the same spirit and professionalism that he would expect.
Earl knew the Lord. He really KNEW the Lord. He was private and emotional at the grace and mercy of God. His faith was the core of his being especially since joining Mt. Zion in 1996 after he and Toni married. He would get excited about new revelations he got from his Sunday School class with Ralph Lawson, and was proud of how Ralph, even with his historical and Biblical knowledge would say "Start us off today, Dr. Earl".
He prayed every morning and every night. He ended every prayer with "if it be Thy will" and "in the precious name of Jesus".
Memorial services will be held Friday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Mulkey officiating. The family will receive friends at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veterinary School of Georgia.
Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Athens Banner-Herald on Sep. 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Earl Gunn

Not sure what to say?





T Blackwell

May 17, 2024

It has been many years since his passing, but as I still attend the practice (under a new name) I am always reminded of him. I was a 3rd generation to have his "touch" to my teeth. Just had a crown done on the last filling he did for me. It lasted about 15 years. As many have said, it is not often you look forward to going to the dentist, but I did.

Christina Carabello

May 17, 2014

My heart feels truly broken to find that Dr. Gunn, my first boss in dentistry has passed. He was a tremendous boss. So funny and definitely full of life. He chose me with no experience over a hundred experienced applicants and said he wanted to train me his way. Never would I have thought I would still be in dentistry 25 years later. I loved him dearly, along with his patients and staff and am in total disbelief that I will never see him again. Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today, Rings so true. Thank you Dr Gunn for great memories and training that has sustained me all these years. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and office staff.
All my love Dr G,
Christina

October 4, 2013

We were so sorry to hear of Dr. Gunn's passing recently. He was my dentist for 50 years and I have fond memories of visiting his downtown office as a little girl and how much I enjoyed reaching into the Treasure Chest for a prize after my check up. As my own children came along there would be no
better dentist for them than Dr. Gunn.
It was obvious he loved going to work
everyday and it kept him young. Our
thoughts and prayers are with his family and staff.

Adrienne(Whitham)Bacon, Alan, Kerry, and Lauren

Paul, Tina, and Austin White

October 4, 2013

Having recently seen Dr. Gunn in is office, my family and I were shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. For 16+ years, we have enjoyed visiting him immensely. We were always touched by his warm and humorous spirit. He was professional, but always made us feel a part of his patient family. Although we kept moving further and further away from his practice, it was worth the drive to continue seeing our favorite doctor. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and to all of the girls in the office. We will miss him tremendously.

Beverly Mac Kay

October 3, 2013

I was stunned to receive the letter from his office in the mail today notifying his patients of Dr. Gunn's untimely passing having just been for my checkup 8 weeks or so ago. I moved to ATL 21 years ago asking fellow Delta Flight Attendants if they had a dentist they liked, thus began my 21 years with Dr. Gunn. I send my deepest sympathies to his family and office staff. I will miss him and his always amusing stories and handsome face!

Lori Hipp

October 3, 2013

I am heartbroken to hear of the Doc's passing. Who would have ever thought you could look forward to going to the dentist, but I did for nearly 20 years. He always had a big, beautiful smile on his face when he walked in, always had a joke to tell, and always remembered my husband and children's names. And what a GA fan! I was looking forward to telling him that 2 of my children just graduated from UGA! He really was more than a dentist - he was a dear friend and I will really miss him. My heart goes out to his wife, children and grandchildren.

Kay Collins

October 3, 2013

Prayers to Dr. Gunn's family and all that knew him in professional and/or friendships. He was always smiling and such a positive role model. He was my dentist back in the late 60's and also recruited a beau to play with the DAWGS. He will surely be missed by all that knew him...

Ps. 34:18 ~ Kim

September 22, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Ps. 34:18 ~ Kim

September 22, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dawn Forsythe

September 21, 2013

I was truly saddened to hear of Dr Gunn's passing. My condolences to the family. Your father was the first dentist I worked for. I loved working for him and hated that we moved too far for me to continue my career with him. I have thought about him often since my son is a student at Athens Academy and we see Coach Gunn on campus. It has been many years since I've seen your dad but he always had a special place in my heart. He always had a smile on his face and loved you all so much. God bless you all.

armand estroff

September 21, 2013

iwas so saddened to hear about dr. gunn's passing! he was my dentist from 1986 when I moved to Atlanta for over the past 25 years! he was the most genuine/sincere man and always wanted to know how I was doing/my kids were doing? I just loved that man! my sincerest condolences to the family!!! armand estroff

September 20, 2013

Dr Gunn was our Dentist for 35 years and was the best and we will miss him very much. He was a kind and gentle man.Our famliy's condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and his office family. You will be missed always by us all. John and Rosemary Hopkins and Jared,Margaret and Andrew. God Bless

Eg

September 19, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Scott & Gayl Maness

September 19, 2013

Scott & I were so saddened to learn of Dr. Gunn's passing. He was such a hoot and made visiting the dentist an entertaining experience. He was the first person who was recommended to us when we moved here and was our dentist for more than 30 years. We loved teasing with him and he could dish it back! We would cuss him when something got stuck in a tooth he had just worked on, but were extremely grateful when he would take care of a problem at a moment's notice. He always had time to talk about his beloved Dawgs, always asked about our children and looked at photos of our grandkids. We enjoyed his stories and worried about him when he had his hip issues. He was a funny old rascal and we did truly love him. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He'll surely be missed.

September 19, 2013

Condolences to Dr. Gunn's family. I will miss him very much, he has been my dentist for 52 years. I started seeing Earl when I was 19 years old. My children went to him until they left Georgia. He will be missed for he is the best dentist that has lived. A dedicated patient from Alabama. Loretta Lindley

Richard Reynolds

September 19, 2013

Though two years my senior, Earl was a friend at Marist when we were there together. His younger brother Neal was my Marist classmate('52). Earl was a great guy, very popular. I will miss him. I send my condolences to his family and only wish I could attend his funeral.

Carol |Mintz

September 19, 2013

Always been thankful to you for giving me my first job in dentistry straight out of hygiene school. You were a wonderful first "boss" and friend. Seems like only a few short years ago, but it has been thirty-nine. You will forever hold a special place in my heart and memory. You were the first true Bulldog I ever knew, and it was contagious! Your smile, laughter, and humor will never leave me. I will fondly remember you always...Carol Brooks Mintz

Paul Muldawer

September 19, 2013

I will miss my Marist classmate and teammate. He was a born leader,enthusiastic,energetic,smart and personable. I will miss our regular lunches and his total recall of every play played at UGA.He deeply loved his wife and family,dentistry,patients,the Bulldogs,and all people except for the Gators. I still can't believe he is gone,but he will always be remembered by his wonderful spirit,friendship and accomplishments. Always your friend Paul Muldawer

September 19, 2013

"Oil" Gunn & I shared a few laughs at the old PKA house on S. Hull. What a great guy. Sincere condolences to the family.
Ben Clarke

Wallace Jones

September 19, 2013

Condolences to Dr. Gunn's family, my dentist and my friend. I will miss the conversations each time I visited.

September 19, 2013

My heart breaks at the thought of never again seeing Earl's smiling face and being able to see the face of my dad in Earl. Steve, Jason, Jenni and I will miss him. We will cherish our memories of Earl and will always keep him in our hearts.

September 19, 2013

My heart breaks at the thought of not seeing Earl's smiling face and being able to see my dad's face in Earl. Steve, Jason, Jenni and I will miss him, but we will cherish our memories of him and he will always be in our hearts. Love, Bubba

JOY PARSONS

September 19, 2013

I've known Earl since I moved to Atlanta from NJ in 1977 and he was the most wonderful man and dentist. When I moved to Sanibel Island, Florida I drove to Atlanta twice a year for my six month dental appointments for twenty years and was delighted to continue with him with less of a drive these past two years. We shared a love of books and dogs and birds. I send my deepest sympathy to his wife and family and his co-workers at his office and to Carolyn at the lab next door. Earl will be sorely missed as a friend and as a great dentist !!

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