Danny Keith Gunn

POST Danny Keith Gunn, 49, of Idalou, Texas, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 in San Antonio. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2011, in Terrace Cemetery in Post, under the direction of Justice-Mason Funeral Home. Memorial service will be at 4 p.m. in the Antelope Arena in Post. Steve McMeans and Kerry Hurst, both of Lubbock, will officiate. Danny was born on Aug. 30, 1961, in Garza County, to Oneita Jones Gunn and the late Clarence Gunn. He married Melinda Tatum on July 12, 1986 in Post, Texas. He and Melinda were both 1979 graduates of Post High School. Danny then went on to graduate from Angelo State University. He spent his early married years working in the oilfield for George R. Brown before returning to college to pursue a career in Agricultural Education. Danny and Melinda were married over 24 years and enjoyed raising their three children in the communities of Post, Lamesa and Idalou. Danny began his teaching career at Klondike High School and later continued at Lamesa High School, where he was a leader in the Area II FFA Association. For the past seven years, Danny taught at Idalou High School in the Ag Ed Department. During his ag career, Danny had a special talent with wood working which he passed along to his students. Danny also enjoyed helping students feed their animal projects and traveling to stock shows. As FFA advisor, Danny accomplished many outstanding achievements in leadership development events. This was evidenced in his own children. Tatum was the State FFA First Vice President in 2007-2008 and Garrett was the FFA Area I President in 2009-2010, Brady is currently Student Council Vice President at Monterey High School. Danny shined the brightest when his children excelled in their activities. He rarely missed a sporting event that involved his children. He was so proud to know that all of them would receive their college education from Texas A&M. Danny was an advisor of Texas FFA State Star winners, state speaking contest winners, public relation team and farm skill team state qualifiers. Danny also advised a national job interview semi-finalist. Danny was a class sponsor and also named Soil and Water Conservation Teacher of the Year. He was most proud, however, of all of his students' accomplishments and has impacted innumerable lives throughout his teaching career. Danny is survived by his wife, Melinda Tatum Gunn; children Tatum Gunn Dorow and husband Andrew Dorow, Garrett Gunn and Brady Gunn; mother Oneita Gunn; sister Darlene Gunn Speck and husband Gary; and brother-in-law Bobby Heckaman, along with their children. Tatum and Garrett are students at Texas A&M. Brady is a senior at Lubbock Monterey High School and plans to attend Texas A&M next year. Danny was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Gunn; and sister Nita Jo Gunn Heckaman. He leaves behind many lifelong friends as well as countless friends from the ag industry and the communities in which the Gunns lived. Danny was loved by many and impacted numerous lives through his teaching, service and ag efforts. He was a good man and will be missed immensely. He was best known for his big smile. Memorials may be made to the Danny Gunn Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Troy Stegemoeller at Vista Bank, PO Box 858, Idalou, Tx 79329.