Curtis Gunn

Funeral service for John Curtis Gunn will be 2 p.m., Mon., Jan. 28, at the First Baptist Church of Claremore with Rev. Weldon Foster officiating. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Army will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Sun. 1-6 p.m.

Curtis went to be with his Lord on Wed., Jan. 23, 2013, after a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old.

The first of six children born to Walter Allen Gunn and Mittie (Barrett) Gunn was born July 30, 1935, in Reidsville, NC.

To describe Curtis in one paragraph would not be possible, as anyone who had ever met him could attest. He was a man of many talents and skills, with an unquenchable thirst for learning. From picking tobacco as a child to running a service station to being the milkman and breadman to being a member of the ambulance crew to service 23 years as a Claremore Fireman, retiring in 1995, due to health reasons, with the rank of Captain. Many people remember him as the music man. He opened his shop up for 35 years to musicians to come and play and they did, coming locally, regionally and nationally. Even some very well-known professional singers would just stop by to pick and sing a little, because they had heard of Curtis and his music. Also there was always a dance and most likely something to eat. What many people never knew was Curtis couldn't sing or play an instrument. He operated the soundboard. A logical person would have just bought themselves a radio, but not Curtis. That never occured to to him-he built a stage. The title he enjoyed most of all was that of friend, who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Curtis was preceded in death by son, John Curtis Gunn, Jr.; his parents, Walter A. and Mittie Barrett Gunn; and brother, Walter Junior Gunn.

He is survived by his wife, Alieta Hildebrand Gunn of the home; daughter, Karen Ogle and husband, Mark of Claremore; grandchildren: Sean Gunn of Hawaii, and Jacob, Mackenzie, Parker, and Kaidee Ogle of Claremore; brothers: Don Gunn of Madison, NC, and Nelson Gunn and wife, Mona of Elon, NC; sisters: Brenda Ward and husband, Bill of Wentworth, NC, and Jewell Dull and husband, Larry of Greensboro, NC; sisters-in-law, Sonja Gunn of Madison, NC, Jean Gunn of Wentworth, NC, Nellie Huff of Texas, and Louise Webb of Claremore; brother-in-law, Coy Hildebrand of Claremore; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, P.O. Box 33234, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74153-1234 or the charity of your choice.