Huguley, AL – Mr. James Melvin “Red” Gunn of Huguley passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Gunn had been plagued for the last few years of his life with Alzheimers. His constant companion during his final years was his devoted wife, Betty Jean Elliott Gunn, who is left to cherish his memory and love.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012, at 11:00 AM / EST at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Lanett, AL, with Rev. Gerald Sykes officiating. He will be laid to rest with his sons James Michael Gunn (Norma Wilson Gunn, mother) and William Winston Gunn (Betty Elliott Gunn, mother). The family will receive guests on Sunday, June 17, 2012, from 7 PM until 9 PM / EST at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley.

Mr. Gunn also leaves behind in addition to his widow a sister Betty Gunn Weaver of Hollister, FL, and his children a daughter, Sandra Gunn Myhand and husband Charles “Bobby” of Covington, GA. Four sons: Robert “Bud” Gunn and wife Sherry of Little Valley, NY, James Melvin Gunn, Jr. of LaGrange, GA, George Gunn and wife Myrtle of Valley, AL, and Ronald Gunn of Summerdale, AL. He also leaves a legacy of 16 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. One of his granddaughters Angela Gunn Gough and his grandson-in-law, Donald Gough, showed a great deal of devotion, love, care, and support in his final months.

Mr. Gunn was preceded in death by his two sons, a daughter Melinda Ann Gunn; his parents Robert Winston Gunn and Mary McCarley Gunn as well as two sisters, Doris Gunn Gilmore and Annie Gunn Brown and a grandson Kevin Lamar Gunn.

Mr. Gunn had spent the last 50 years as a resident of the Huguley / Lanett community. Born Feb. 22, 1925, in Tallapoosa County, AL, he was the only son of Robert Winston Gunn and Mary McCarley Gunn. He spent his entire childhood in Opelika and Roanoke until his family settled in Lanett. He continued as a young boy to spend summers on his Uncle Quaron Gunn’s farm in Roanoke helping to plant and harvest the crops. He fast learned he did not want to become a farmer and got a job at Brady’s Drug Store in Lanett. He was known there by the nickname “Little Red.” The name would stick with him for life; he just loved the little part. He spent a brief amount of time in the years after World War II living in New Orleans, LA and Detroit, MI. But his love for his hometown always brought him back to the Valley area. He was a mechanic by trade and known as the best transmission man around for many years of his career. He served in the Army during World War II enlisting as a private on May 4, 1943 at Fort McClellan, AL. He served with Company B 163rd Engineer Combat Battalion in the European Theater including Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland, Central Europe. He received Good Conduct Medal 163rd Engineer Combat Battalion, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal along with World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Gunn received an Honorable Discharge as a Technician Fifth Grade at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on November 4, 1945.

The family would like to express their appreciation for Mrs. Wendy Goodgane and Mr. Dywayne Worthy for providing loving care for Mr. Gunn in his last years and for the support and devotion to Mrs. Gunn during this most difficult time. Continued support from Home Instead of Auburn, Jeanne Mers-Asher of AVCC Ballwin, MO, the Veterans Administration and Vista Care Hospice of Phenix City, AL in helping the family to survive and maintain Mr. Gunn’s care at his home.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is in charge of all arrangements.