James Dale Gunter

James Dale Gunter (JIM), age 93, of Pineville, WV, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2023,
after a long illness, surrounded by his adoring family. He was born on December 13, 1929 in Pineville,
WV, and was the son of Hobart and Ina Mae (Tilley) Gunter. Jim was a lifelong resident of Pineville and
was an excellent student and athlete for Pineville High School. He remained a proud Minuteman and
supporter of his hometown school throughout his life. He was also a veteran who served proudly in the
US Air Force as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War from 1948-1952. On January 04, 1958, in Davin,
WV, he married the love of his life, Velma Charlene (Smoot), and they raised three children and enjoyed
a wonderful life together for over 65 years. Jim was a fixture in the coal industry for over 40 years and
worked as a mine foreman, superintendent, and as a coal owner/operator until his retirement. Jim
could always be seen around Pineville, whether delivering the newspaper on his bicycle as a young boy,
or just completing his daily rounds and errands up until the end of his life, and always with a smile on his
face. During his life he was an avid reader, golfer, sports fan, and dedicated family man and friend to
many. He enjoyed many days of fun and laughter golfing with all his close friends at Clearfork Valley
Golf Course, where he also served as President of the golf club. Jim was a man of honesty, integrity, and
grace. He touched the lives of all he knew in a positive and special way, and his sense of humor was
second to none.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harry Gunter, and Sidney Gunter; two sisters,
Lucille Cook Stewart, and Mary Morgan; brothers-in-law Dennis Stewart, Clifford Morgan, Richard True,
and Joe Childress; sister-in-law Nancy Gunter; and one nephew, Jay Childress.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Charlene, of Pineville, WV; son Brett Gunter of
Pineville, WV; daughters Angela Gunter-Thomas (Billy) of Pineville, WV, and Lora Gunter-Daniel (Dick) of
Flat Top Lake-Ghent, WV; and the granddaughters who stole his heart and he closely cherished, Kasey,
Savannah, and Ashley Thomas of Pineville, WV. Additional surviving family includes his brother, Tom
Gunter of Oceana, WV; two sisters, Shirley True of Sacramento, CA, and Kitty Childress of Daniels, WV;
two sisters-in-law, Renva Gunter of Abingdon, VA, and Rebecca Gunter of Clemmons, NC; nephews Ron
Gunter of Abingdon, VA, Tim Gunter of Suwanee, GA, Tommy Gunter of Strongsville, OH, Mark Gunter
of Oceana, WV, and Joey Childress of McKinney, TX; nieces Cathy Cook Sepko of Greer, SC, Elizabeth
Gunter-Woods of Southmont, NC, and Erin True of Sacramento, CA; his lifelong friend and "brother",
Paige Cline of Pineville, WV, and a host of great-nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you for the care provided by the emergency room and
3B unit staff and physicians at the Beckley VA Medical Center, as well as the staff of Bower's Hospice
House.
A Celebration of Jim's amazing life will be held for family and friends on Sunday, April 30 th , 2023 at 2:00
pm at Twin Falls Resort State Park Lodge, Mullens, WV, in the Azalea Room. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions and donations can be made in his honor to Bower's Hospice House of Southern WV, or any
local charities benefiting veterans.

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