John Henry Gunter

GUNTER,John Henry A great pioneer and innovator of the modular school industry has passed way at 76 years old. John Henry Gunter, known as "Jack" by his close friends, changed the landscape of almost every school campus in Sonoma County and northern California. For over a 30 year period, with his former company GV Custom Modular Construction, Inc., he constructed and manufactured custom modular (portable) classrooms. He was the first in California to develop a custom portable classroom with cathedral steep pitch ceilings, which became the standard in the industry in California and represented the top of the line in permanent modular construction. His humble beginnings started in Gallopis, OH where John was born. He was one of 12 children. The family moved to Roanoke, VA when he was 2 years old and he was raised there until he went away to the Army Airborne unit where he served during the Korean Conflict. During his stateside duty while serving as a guard at Fort Knox, Louisville, KY, he met his bride of almost 55 years Charlotte. They moved to San Rafael, CA in 1958, and he started night school at a local college while working by day as a prison guard at San Quentin State Penitentiary on death row. He moved to Santa Rosa in 1960 and set his roots deep for the next 50 years. He started his career in the construction industry, where he finally made his mark when starting his construction company in 1972 with a partner for a short period. He took over the name G & V Contractors and built it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise that allowed his two sons, Dennis and John (J.R.) an opportunity to cut their own path in the construction industry. John achieved many things in his full life, and one thing he was most proud of was obtaining his private pilot's license and flying his plane all over California for supposedly business! He was an accomplished scuba diver and traveled with his family and two sons to dive in different parts of the world allowing them to experience incredible adventures. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the AAHMES Shrine Temple. John was most proud of his family and grandchildren and lived longer than doctors claimed he could to see their beginnings flourish. His unwavering faithful wife Charlotte survives him along with his sons John (J.R)) of Santa Rosa and Dennis of Tarpon Springs FL, his daughters-in-law Jennifer and Adriana, and grandchildren Kayla, Corrine, Cameron, Austin and Andrew. He is also survived by his sisters Sarah Metkin of San Francisco, Grace Hardin of Fl, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private service will be held per his request. Donations can be given to Herbalife Foundation at www.herbalifefamilyfoundation.org to help feed children worldwide. Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral and Cremation Services 525-3730