Obituary for Michael Doyal "Mick" Gunyon
Michael “Mick” Gunyon, 70 of Maynardville, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord January 24, 2021, at The University of Tennessee Medical Hospital in Knoxville, TN surrounded by his wife, children, and friends.
Mick was born on August 1, 1950 in Frankfort, IN, He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Helen Gunyon.
He is survived by his wife, Donna. His sons, Robert, Daniel, David Gunyon, and daughter Michelle Bond. Grandchildren Michael Gunyon, Adam Lahner, Owin , Addi , Eben , John E, and Anden Gunyon, Princess Caroline of Farragut, Christian, and Noah Bond, Trent, Gunnar, and Lilly Bug Gunyon. Siblings, Birdie Meyer, Connie Tiffany, and Becky Lucas.
Mick attended Frankfort High School in Frankfort, IN. He was a pitcher, known as “Gunner”, for the Indiana State University baseball team, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He had a passion for education; and he viewed it as an avenue to achieve the greatness of God’s giftings in life. Mick continued his education by earning two Masters degrees and an honorary doctorate, all while providing for, and raising small children with his wife, Donna. This zeal for education, coupled with a heart of service, lead him to volunteer in local GED mentoring/ tutoring programs, as well as funding scholarships for others to have the same opportunities that he was able to take hold of.
Fittingly, Mick began his career as an educator and high school athletics coach. Mick’s drive, dedication, and commitment to hard work and perseverance meshed perfectly with the business world, also. After entering the business world, Mick had a successful career in sales with GM, Gould, Texas instruments and Siemens. His career carried him from Indiana to Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and eventually, retired from Siemens Energy and Automation in Atlanta, Ga in 2010
His heart for service painted broad strokes through the canvas of his life. He never missed an opportunity to fill a need placed before him. A man that was truly the “Hands and feet of Christ”, he devoted time, talent and treasure to education, community and God’s greatest love, his people. Whether coaching youth athletics, mentoring, repairing homes for the needy, or simply answering the call to serve the people placed before him, Mick answered the call with zeal that went above and beyond. Mick was instrumental in seeing that the congregants of St. Teresa of Kolkata had a building to worship in. He was also an avid supporter of St. Teresa’s, “Helping Hands”, and never missed an opportunity to see when and where he could be used to bless others.
Everything that Mick did in life was done with passion. A great deal of passion. He loved deeply; and he opened his entire heart to everyone that was placed in his life. More than any other area, Mick loved his family. His wife, Donna, was his most treasured gift. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with 14 grandchildren, who adored their, “Pa Pa, Grandpa, “. His sense of humor defined his optimistic, larger than life, personality. He had the ability to find humor in everything. A tense room could be brought to laughter with witty one-liners, pointing out conveniently ironic happenings, and generally not leaving any, proverbial, “low-hanging fruit” unpicked in a conversation. Mick was a man that was generous with his love and feelings; and he never left anyone wondering where they stood with him in his heart.
An avid outdoorsman, Mick enjoyed being outside in God’s creation. From a young boy fishing with his father, to a grown man fishing with his children and grandchildren, Mick loved coupling this love for fishing and hunting with his love for family, friends, and fellowship. This love fueled his frequent fishing trips on any body of water available to him. He was drawn to water; and trips to Alaska, Canada, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and many trips out west, nestled between recurring day trips on the lakes he conveniently found himself living by. Mick fell in love with the beauty of Norris Lake. He built his first cabin there in 2002. Mick’s dream of retiring at Norris Lake grew to fruition in 2012 when he and Donna completed their home a short distance from where his dream began.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, January 28 from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Funeral Home Chapel followed by a prayer service; the family will arrive at 4:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial, conducted by Father Neil Pezzulo, will be Friday, January 29 at St. Teresa of Kolkata. Memorial donations may be made to St. Teresa of Kolkata, 3445 Maynardville Hwy., Maynardville, TN 37807 for an educational scholarship in Mick’s name. Trinity Funeral Home, LLC, Maynardville, has the honor to serve the family of Mick Gunyon. 865-992-5002 www.trinityfuneralhome.net
Mick was born on August 1, 1950 in Frankfort, IN, He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Helen Gunyon.
He is survived by his wife, Donna. His sons, Robert, Daniel, David Gunyon, and daughter Michelle Bond. Grandchildren Michael Gunyon, Adam Lahner, Owin , Addi , Eben , John E, and Anden Gunyon, Princess Caroline of Farragut, Christian, and Noah Bond, Trent, Gunnar, and Lilly Bug Gunyon. Siblings, Birdie Meyer, Connie Tiffany, and Becky Lucas.
Mick attended Frankfort High School in Frankfort, IN. He was a pitcher, known as “Gunner”, for the Indiana State University baseball team, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He had a passion for education; and he viewed it as an avenue to achieve the greatness of God’s giftings in life. Mick continued his education by earning two Masters degrees and an honorary doctorate, all while providing for, and raising small children with his wife, Donna. This zeal for education, coupled with a heart of service, lead him to volunteer in local GED mentoring/ tutoring programs, as well as funding scholarships for others to have the same opportunities that he was able to take hold of.
Fittingly, Mick began his career as an educator and high school athletics coach. Mick’s drive, dedication, and commitment to hard work and perseverance meshed perfectly with the business world, also. After entering the business world, Mick had a successful career in sales with GM, Gould, Texas instruments and Siemens. His career carried him from Indiana to Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and eventually, retired from Siemens Energy and Automation in Atlanta, Ga in 2010
His heart for service painted broad strokes through the canvas of his life. He never missed an opportunity to fill a need placed before him. A man that was truly the “Hands and feet of Christ”, he devoted time, talent and treasure to education, community and God’s greatest love, his people. Whether coaching youth athletics, mentoring, repairing homes for the needy, or simply answering the call to serve the people placed before him, Mick answered the call with zeal that went above and beyond. Mick was instrumental in seeing that the congregants of St. Teresa of Kolkata had a building to worship in. He was also an avid supporter of St. Teresa’s, “Helping Hands”, and never missed an opportunity to see when and where he could be used to bless others.
Everything that Mick did in life was done with passion. A great deal of passion. He loved deeply; and he opened his entire heart to everyone that was placed in his life. More than any other area, Mick loved his family. His wife, Donna, was his most treasured gift. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with 14 grandchildren, who adored their, “Pa Pa, Grandpa, “. His sense of humor defined his optimistic, larger than life, personality. He had the ability to find humor in everything. A tense room could be brought to laughter with witty one-liners, pointing out conveniently ironic happenings, and generally not leaving any, proverbial, “low-hanging fruit” unpicked in a conversation. Mick was a man that was generous with his love and feelings; and he never left anyone wondering where they stood with him in his heart.
An avid outdoorsman, Mick enjoyed being outside in God’s creation. From a young boy fishing with his father, to a grown man fishing with his children and grandchildren, Mick loved coupling this love for fishing and hunting with his love for family, friends, and fellowship. This love fueled his frequent fishing trips on any body of water available to him. He was drawn to water; and trips to Alaska, Canada, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and many trips out west, nestled between recurring day trips on the lakes he conveniently found himself living by. Mick fell in love with the beauty of Norris Lake. He built his first cabin there in 2002. Mick’s dream of retiring at Norris Lake grew to fruition in 2012 when he and Donna completed their home a short distance from where his dream began.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, January 28 from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Funeral Home Chapel followed by a prayer service; the family will arrive at 4:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial, conducted by Father Neil Pezzulo, will be Friday, January 29 at St. Teresa of Kolkata. Memorial donations may be made to St. Teresa of Kolkata, 3445 Maynardville Hwy., Maynardville, TN 37807 for an educational scholarship in Mick’s name. Trinity Funeral Home, LLC, Maynardville, has the honor to serve the family of Mick Gunyon. 865-992-5002 www.trinityfuneralhome.net