Gary Gunlock

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mr. Gary Wayne Gunlock, 86, of Carl Junction, Missouri, formerly of Webb City, Missouri, departed this life on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Gary entered this life on July 8, 1937, in Redings Mill, Missouri, the only son born to the late Harry A. Jr. and O. Naomi (Drake) Gunlock. He was raised in the Redings Mill area and was a 1955 graduate of Seneca High School. Gary furthered his education by attending the former Joplin Junior College. 

On May 18, 1956, he was united in marriage to Lillie Mae Copher and to this union three children were born, Terri, Randall and Michael.

Gary was deeply devoted to his family. He was admired and respected by all that knew him. With the support of his wife, Gary flourished in his career in the trucking industry. He was vice president of Tri-state Motor Transit, Joplin, Missouri, and president of multiple other trucking companies. As a leader and mentor to generations of members, he served the Webb City Church of the Nazarene for over 60 years. Whether running, golfing, water skiing, walking, or lifting weights, he was dedicated to an active lifestyle. He left behind a legacy of love and faith that will live on in his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Peggy Brock, Karen Cooper, Virginia Peavler and Barbara Gunlock; brothers-in-law, Gene Smith, and Richard Brock; and great-grandson, Andrew Paul Merritt.

Gary is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Lillie Mae Gunlock, of the home; three children, Terri Sue Gunlock Garrett and husband, Tony, of Eagle Rock, Missouri, Randall Wayne Gunlock and wife, Betsy, of Carl Junction and Dr. Michael Gary Gunlock and wife, Martha, of Boulder, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Trisha Moore (Dustin), Angela Schreiner (Derek), Shelli Merritt (Michael), Tara Dill (Tyler), Sharon Lindsey, Jamie Lindsey, Chase Gunlock, Parker Gunlock and Graham Gunlock; ten great-grandchildren, Weston Moore, Hailey Merritt, Kelsey Moore, Taylor Merritt, Sladen Schreiner, Kaitlyn Merritt, Brooklyn Schreiner, Owen Dill, and 4-year-old twins, Lawson & Griffin Dill; a sister, Donna Smith of Joplin; brothers-in-law Bud Cooper and Lanny Peavler; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at the Webb City Church of the Nazarene with Pastors Dustin Ledford and Chad Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City. 

Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Dustin Moore, Michael Merritt, Derek Schreiner, Tyler Dill, Chase Gunlock, Weston Moore, Graham Gunlock and Sladen Schreiner. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5-7:00 p.m. at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are being directed to Webb City Church of the Nazarene for Youth Camp c/o the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.