The world lost a gentle man on Feb. 1, 2017. Commander Howard Philip Gunther, USN retired, was a man above all men. A lifelong Republican, his love for his country never wavered. As a young man he enlisted in the Navy and served his nation proudly for 27 years traveling the world over.

On Jan. 31, 1953 he married the love of his life, Adelaide Katheryn Brentano. The day before he passed away Howard and Addie celebrated 64 years of marriage. It was a celebration indeed.

He was the only son, born Aug. 10, 1927, of Minnie C. Gunther (Hebig) and Howard F. Gunther. After he graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School he heard the call of the sea. In 1945, Howard joined the Navy to serve his country. He attended Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and graduated as an ensign in November 1956. He served aboard many ships during his honored career. His first command was the USS Catawba when he was only a lieutenant.

In 1967 he was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island and served as executive officer aboard the USS Sperry. His family was always found waving from the pier upon his return from overseas, thrilled to have him home.

In 1969 he served in Vietnam as The American Liaison Officer with the Philippine Contingent Forces and the Spanish Medical Mission Forces. In Vietnam he earned a Bronze Star among many other commendations for his service.

Cmdr. Gunther was a destroyer expert. He was last stationed in Newport, Rhode Island and taught at the Destroyer School.

Commander Gunther retired from the Navy in 1971.

Following retirement Howard built H. P. Gunther Tobacco Company. He loved serving his customers and trading stories with them while enjoying his pipe with like minded people.

His passion was the sea. He loved his boats and sailing with his family in and around Narragansett Bay and passed that love on to his daughters. He and his daughter Carol cruised the eastern seaboard and Intracoastal Waterway from Rhode Island to Florida – a life memory for father and daughter.

Recently, Howard celebrated 50 years as a 32nd Degree Mason in the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida. His Lodge had never honored one of their own for 50 years of service before Howard.

After years of living in Florida, Howard and Addie retired to Ellijay, Georgia where children and grandchildren love to visit.

Above all, Howard’s family was the light of his life. His wife Addie and three daughters were with him to the end. He was well aware of the love and prayers that were being sent to him from all of his beloved grands.

Howard was predeceased by his grandson Benjamin Philip Maxwell. He is survived by his lovely wife Adelaide Katheryn; his three daughters, Karen Gunther (Paul Fong) of Lowell, Massachusetts, Carol Matwiczyk (Peter) of Barters Island, Maine and Palm Beach, Florida, and Jessica Maxwell (Grover) of Charleston, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Christopher Joseph Fleming III (Anne), Ashley Heard Sewell, Jason William Sewell, Grover Cleveland Maxwell IV, Lindsay Hooker Maxwell, Samuel Gunther Maxwell; and six great-grandchildren, Live Grace Heard Sewell, Colt Sewell, Adelaide Katheryn Fleming, Madeleine Rose Fleming, Grace Temblador, and Joseph Temblador.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 115 Pleasant Grove Road, Ellijay, GA 30540

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Elaine Clark Center benefiting children with special needs. 5130 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, GA 30341 www.elaineclarkcenter.org/