James Hamilton Gunter, Jr.

James Hamilton Gunter, Jr. Passed away on November 3, 2016 at the Veterans Home in Pocatello, ID. He was born December 25, 1921 in Milledgeville, Georgia to James Hamilton and Zelma (Taylor) Gunter. His mother always said he was the best Christmas gift she ever had. He was the oldest of 8 children. His siblings were Carrie Elizabeth Denney, George Wesley, Mary Alice Christensen, Zelma Ruth, Henry Calvin, William Arthur and Barbara LaRue Reisner.

James moved to Arimo in 1925 after the family survived a tornado in Georgia. James was educated in Marsh Valley. He was active in football and basketball. James married Helen Toler on July 29, 1942 in the Logan, UT temple. Nine days after their marriage James left for Army basic training in Clairborne, New Mexico.

On September 10, 1942 he was stationed in Alaska. The US Army had taken over the operation of the railroad, to help with the building of the Alaska Highway. James was stationed at Skagway. During the war the railroad accumulated 36 locomotives and 300 freight cars. More than 280,000 tons of material were carried to Whitehorse in 1943, and thousands of troops and construction workers were also carried. James helped to keep the tracks clear and the trains moving. The weather was extremely cold with lots of ice and snow on the tracks. By the end of the war the railroad was literally worn out.

James also served in the Philippines during World War II. He was released from the Army with an honorable discharge on January 6, 1946.

James and Helen were blessed with 13 children; Lonnie, Layne, Joel, Jeffery, Ernie, Lemuel, Sally, Suzanne, Saralee, Mark, Hal, Goldie and Samuel. In 1954 James moved to Othello, Washington to develop land for the Columbia Basin Project. They were there for 13 years. They returned to Idaho in 1967. James’ occupation was a carpenter. He built many beautiful homes and buildings in Idaho, Washington and New Mexico.

James was always active in the LDS church. He served many callings. He enjoyed his scout callings, as he taught the youth many camping an survival skills. Her served 2 LDS missions with his wife Helen. One to the Fiji Islands and another to Three Forks, Montana.

James enjoyed photography, traveling, hiking, gardening, reading and working with wood in his wood shop. When James was 90 years old, he fell and broke his hip. He stayed at the Veterans Home in Pocatello, ID. The family wishes to thank them for the great are he received there.

James has 72 Grandchildren and many Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, 1 son, his parents, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 2 son-in-laws and 2 daughter-in-laws.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 12 noon in the Arimo Stake Center. Friends may visit with the family at the Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Dr. on Wednesday evening from 7-8 and at the church Thursday from 10:30-11:45 a.m.