Charles D. Gunter

Charles D. Gunter, age 88, of Atlanta, GA died from the effects of Alzheimer's disease on Monday, April 13, 2015. He was a true self-made man and life-long learner, who built his life and career on principles of honesty, hard work, fairness, and devotion to family. Charles was born December 28, 1926, at the family home on the square in Buford, Georgia. He served as Seabee in the United States Navy during World War II, and after an honorable discharge in Kodiak, Alaska, Charles became a brakeman for the Alaska Railroad. While on leave back home in Buford in 1951, he persuaded Reta Mae Bramblett of nearby Sugar Hill to marry him in a whirlwind romance of only a few months. Despite having rarely traveled far from Buford, Reta agreed to make their home in Anchorage, Alaska. They set out for Alaska in a new Pontiac on a honeymoon trip that included Mexico. The couple's first home was a Quonset hut. They welcomed Chuck, Kathie and Tim to the family while Charles set about building a new home during his time off from work. The family returned to Atlanta in 1960. Charles earned an Associate Degree with honors from Southern Tech (now Southern Polytechnic State University) on the GI Bill and worked for a time in engineering. After a few years, he decided that sitting behind a desk was not for him. Having honed his construction craft with the family's homes in Anchorage and Atlanta, he started Charles D. Gunter, Inc. in 1966 and began building custom homes in the Sandy Springs area. Charles retired after a long and successful career shortly after Reta's death in 1991. In retirement, he immersed himself in ballroom dancing, Atlanta History Center Rambles, reading the paper, traveling worldwide, continuing education classes, working out at the gym and spending time with family. Funeral service will be held Monday, April 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, with Chaplain David J. Hall officiating. Interment will follow at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Cumming, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Charles D. Gunter at www.alz.org, or to Piedmont Hospital's Sixty Plus Older Adult Services at www.donate.piedmont.org. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Reta Bramblett Gunter; parents, Dewitt and Sallie Grace Hamilton Gunter; and sister, Joyce Gunter. He is survived by his children, Charles D. Gunter, Jr. (wife Gloria), Tucker, GA, Kathie Gunter McClure (husband Jay), Atlanta, GA, and Timothy J. Gunter (wife Kathy), Atlanta, GA; eleven grandchildren, Amy, Andrew, Adam, Timothy, Kelli, and Kerri Gunter; Christopher and Caitlin McClure; Madeline, Gregory, and Maura Gunter; nine great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Jack Bramblett, Ellijay, GA; and sister-in-law, Floyce Hamilton Bramblett, Marietta, GA. To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.