John William Gaunt

John William Gaunt was born on January 23, 1936 in Charleston, Missouri to Robert and Louettie Gaunt, and returned home to his Heavenly Father on December 4, 2015. John spent his childhood years working as a sharecropper picking cotton, on his parent's Missouri farm until the age of 13 when his family then relocated to Pomona, California. While living in Pomona, John was surrounded by many family members including his Grandmother and Papa, and his four siblings, Estelle, Shirley, Jimmy, and Morris. He spent many Sundays with his family where fried fish was served and Spades was the card game played. During his life John held several jobs which included serving in the United States Navy, working at Taylor Fiber, and finally for General Telephone Company (GTE), where he retired as an area construction coordinator after 35 years.

In retirement John enjoyed fishing trips with his family, riding the dunes of Glamis, and traveling with his wife Bobbie in their motorhome. John could be seen at the local coffee shop where he would meet his fellow retired GTE friends or he could be found fishing the waters around Palo Verde on the Colorado River.

John had a soft spot in his heart for animals. He would often attend the opening day of dove hunting with his family (but he always seemed to "miss" shooting the doves). John especially loved his dogs: Susie, Jesse #1 and Jesse #2 (he lacked creativity in naming his dogs). It was a common site to see John sitting in his Lazy Boy recliner with either Jesse wrapped around his neck. His grandchildren would laugh at him when he fed Jesse by flicking one round dry dog food nugget across the kitchen floor for Jesse to chase after and eat.

John's true love, however, was his family: His wife of 47 years, Bobbie; and his four children, John Calvin, Sherry, Lisa, and Michael. But perhaps his greatest joy could be seen in his interaction with his grandchildren: A grandchild sitting on his lap laughing was a common site. John made it a point to make each grandchild feel special and loved. He never missed an opportunity to read them a book, play a board game, buy them an ice cream from the ice cream truck, give them a kiss and hug, or just letting them lay their heads on his broad shoulders.

In his final years his devoted wife Bobbie, was there in good times and bad. John had several health issues that required Bobbie's time and attention. Bobbie held his hand in life for 47 years and was with him when he took his last breath. What a sweet reunion they will have when they dance the streets of Heaven together.

John is preceded in death by: His grandparents, his mother Louettie, his father Robert, his brothers Jimmy and Morris, and his sister Estelle. John is survived by his wife Bobbie, his sister Shirley, his four children, John Calvin, Sherry, Lisa (and her spouse Anthony), Michael (and his spouse Julie), his grandchildren John Jr., Summer, Mark, Wess, Sadie, Matthew, Madison, Parker, Lily, and numerous great grandchildren. John touched many lives and will be truly missed by those whose lives he touched.