Jefferson C. “Red” Gunter, 94, died Friday, June 3, 2016, in Beaumont, Texas, from complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A career Navy man, Jeff loved fishing, boating and being near or in water, except when pursuing his other hobby, golf. He and his wife of sixty-two years, Betty Jean Gunter (1924-2009), always enjoyed entertaining. They also loved RV camping during their early retirement years in Southern California. They finally settled in Jasper, where they lived for twenty-nine years and were active in the First Presbyterian Church.

Born in Goldonna, Louisiana, on Jan. 16, 1922, Jeff enlisted in the United States Navy as an apprentice seaman on July 31, 1940. He served on the USS Milwaukee, the USS Chicago and other ships and duty stations during his twenty year career. In 1947, he married Betty, and they lived in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Virginia, New Orleans and California. They stayed in the San Diego area after his retirement as a Chief Petty Officer, and during his post-military career working at U.S. Marine Base Camp Pendleton. They also attended many reunions of the USS Milwaukee crew.

A highlight of Jeff’s Navy career was, as captain of a tugboat in New Orleans, he expertly guided the Danish historic full-rigged ship, the Danmark, to harbor. He earned a citation for his skill and care of the treasured vessel.

He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, American Defense China Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Victory Medal, World War II Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

Jeff is survived by nephews, Jim Gunter of Lumberton, and Andrew J. Chiles and his wife, Sandy Hall Chiles, of Dallas; nieces, Bettye L. Bumgarner and her husband, Jim, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Carole Chiles Fuller and her husband, Ray Fuller, of New Braunfels; grandnieces, Kai Whitmire of Lumberton and April Peterson and her husband, Eric, of Denton; grandnephews, Jeff Gunter and his wife, Barbara, of Beaumont and Denton Chiles of Houston; and several great-grandnieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sadona Lowe and William Gunter; wife, Betty; nieces, Carolyn Gunter and Jackie Slevin; and grandnephews, Crockett Whitmire, Jake Gunter, and Matthew Gunter.

After Betty died, Jeff lived for a short time in Lufkin and Beaumont.

A gathering of Mr. Gunter's family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Broussard's, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A private family committal was held at Broussard's Crematorium, Beaumont.