John Anton Gunther

ANTON GUNTHER (Age 78)

Of Colonial Beach, VA, passed away September 1, 2005 at the Carriage Hill Nursing Home in Fredericksburg, VA. Born March 19, 1927 in Orange, NJ, John was the only child of Anton Gunther and Gertrude McKay Gunther Holm. Raised in East Rutherford, NJ, he graduated from East Orange High School, where he immediately entered into the US Navy during WWII and rose to the rank of Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class. He was assigned to the Wisconsin (BB-64) Battleship during 1946-47. After WWII, President Hoover, on a gesture of goodwill, selected the BB-64 to carry a hand-picked group of Midshipmen Graduates from the Annapolis Academy to visit the King and Queen of Norway. John particularly liked to muse about how nervous the Midshipmen were on their maiden voyage to the North Atlantic; especially how the BB-64 had to dodge huge water mines on the high seas, planted by the German Fleet. John was one of many volunteer "spotters" at the Rail of his beloved Battleship, pointing out the mines by shouting their coordinates for the Bridge. John, his fellow Navy buddies and the young Midshipmen arrived safely with quite a story to tell their families and later in their lives, their grandchildren. After the war, John entered Rutgers University for two years, and he completed his BA degree in Political Science at American University in Washington, DC. He began his government service with the District of Columbia as a Meter Coin Collector. After two years, John was recruited by the Internal Revenue Service as a Revenue Officer, rising to the rank of Chief, Field Branch II, responsible for over 150 employees covering the entire State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He often met with members of Congress, Delegates from the State of Maryland for tax issues in their respective States, as well as representatives of the District of Columbia. John was a champion for closing Large Dollar Trust Fund delinquent cases and restoring the money back into the taxpayers' accounts. Overall, John had a distinguished Government career of over 38 years. John was a Masonic member for 49 years with Federal Lodge #1 in Washington, DC. He was also a member of the York Rite of Camp Springs, MD and ACCA Temple of Richmond. In 1998-99, John served as President of the Heritage Shrine Club of Colonial Beach/King George, VA.

His first marriage to Frances Webster Gunther lasted 30 years; she preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Beverly Farhood Gunther of Colonial Beach, VA. Three children from his first marriage include a son, John Anton Gunther, Jr., and his wife Deanna Gunther of Owings, MD; two daughters, Toni Gunther Bradshaw and her husband Lee Bradshaw of Brandywine, MD; and Francine Susan Davis and her husband Eric Davis of Alexandria, VA. From his second marriage, a stepdaughter, Kelly Blair Snyder and her husband Fred Snyder of Pawley's Island, SC. Also surviving are two granddaughters, Cindy Curran, Waldorf, MD and Niki Bradshaw of Brandywine, MD and two grandsons, Randy and Jeffrey Davis of Alexandria, VA. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. with memorial services conducted by the Masonic Order at 7:30 p.m. and at 7:45 p.m. the American Legion Post 148, will conduct their service at NASH & SLAW FUNERAL HOME on King's Highway (Route 301) in King George, VA. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2 p.m. at Colonial Beach United Methodist Church, Rev. Maddox officiating. Interment will be held at Historyland Memorial Park in King George, VA. After the services, the family would like to invite friends and neighbors to attend a repast at the American Legion Hall on Colonial Avenue in Colonial Beach, VA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John's name to Children's Hospital, Atten.: Mr. Larry Cameron, President, Heritage Shrine Club, 8237 Hickory Drive, King George, VA 22485.