Horace Gunter

Horace Edward “Ed” Gunter, 78,passed away on November 17, 2020.  He was born on November 18, 1941 in Kansas City, Mo to Harry Edward Gunter and Elizabeth (Rawls) Gunter.  Ed didn't graduate from High School but left school his junior year to join the Navy where he became a Radioman 3rd Class. He was stationed in Port Leyote, Morocco and later served aboard the destroyer USS Compton.  While in the Navy he earned his GED and became interested in European history and began his lifelong love of reading and studying history.

Ed earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1973 from Northeast Missouri State University and his Masters of Arts in History in 1991.  He has taught a profusion of high school, gifted, honors and college courses including American History, Constitutional Law, Contemporary Issues, Missouri History, World History, Geography, Adult Basic Education, and American Government. He taught at Kirksville Junior High, Lincoln Prep in Kansas City, Smith Hale Junior High, Columbia College and Raymore-Peculiar High School where he retired on July 1, 2002 after 20 years. Ed was appointed Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1987, was nominated for Missouri Teacher of the Year in 1990, was awarded NEA participation in “Revolution” at Central Missouri State University in 1988, was elected president to the local National Education Association chapter in 1993, and was chosen school representative for a Russia trip in 1997.

Ed and Ginny also owned the Wild Bird Center in Independence, MO from 1994 to 2005. Ed designed and installed water gardens in the summer when he wasn't teaching.

Ed missed educating students after retirement so he accepted an offer from the Kansas City School District to teach at Van Horn High School in Independence, MO which he did for five years.

Outside of teaching Ed enjoyed restoring cars, raising sheep and alpaca, tinkering on the farm, and spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids who were the apple of his eye.

Ed is proceeded in death by his parents, sister Kay Creason, brother-in-law Benny Creason, and daughter Kellie Gunter.  He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 35 years, Virginia “Ginny” Gunter, brother Bill (wife Sherry), sister Mary (husband Gaylen) Barnhart, stepsons: Mike Shanks (wife Lesia) and Jeff Shanks, stepdaughter Shelly Blakely, daughter Jamie Payne-Westfall, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at https://www.macular.org/how-donate.