Gunn, John D. (Dunlap)
- Monday, February 10, 2020
John D. Gunn, who served as Superintendent of Parks for the City of Chattanooga for 25 years until his retirement in December, 2001, passed away on February 3, 2020.
He was born March 28, 1932, the son of John R. Gunn, Jr. and Harriet D. Johnson Gunn of Fort Wayne, In., and a graduate of Fort Wayne's Northside High School.
John served honorably in the US Navy Reserve and later in the US Army from 1954-56 and was assigned to the Counter Intelligence Corps. He was a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, In. and earned a bachelor of science and master of arts degree in education.
He moved to Knoxville in August, 1957 to accept a position with the Tennessee Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Later he joined Chattanooga State Technical Community College as a counselor and director of Student Services.
John was active in the Downtown Sertoma Club for 30 years and held various offices and served on the International Board of Directors in Kansas City, Mo. Additionally, he was also a former president of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Speech and Hearing Center board of directors.
John enjoyed travel in the United States and Europe with wife, Wendy, and their sons, was an avid reader of history and very fond of classical music.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Wendy; stepson, Ashley (Tracy) Wilkinson and step-grandsons, Jess and Parker Stancil, of Myrtle Beach, SC; stepson, Nick (Laura) Wilkinson and step-grandsons, Niko and Hudson, of Lookout Mountain; brother, Jim (Jeanette) Gunn, of Grand Rapids, Mi.; nephew, Jack (Jen) Gunn, of Grand Rapids, Mi.; niece, Dr. Beth Gunn, of Houston, Tx.; and numerous cousins in the Atlanta area.
The family is planning a reception for family and friends and will have an interment ceremony at Chattanooga National Cemetery.