Robert H. "Bob" Gunn, Sr.

Robert H. Gunn Sr., of Warr Acres, OK, left his bonds of clay at 72 years, 364 days and 23 hours while in the company of his family after a prolonged illness. Robert had many nicknames throughout his life - Dutch, Bob, Bobby, Big Bob, Rob - but was known to all as a quiet, kind man devoted to his family and friends. He was never too busy to help a stranger and volunteered in his community and church. He was born in Sullivan, MO, the third of nine siblings to Winifred A. (Winnie Moody) Gunn and William Henry (Budge) Gunn on 5 January 1950, missing the title of “New Years’ baby” by only a few hours, according to his mother. Robert grew up in Cuba, Missouri. As an adult he worked in the automotive industry, primarily in St Louis, MO but also in Belvidere, IL, until shortly before his retirement, when he moved to Oklahoma City, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lillian “Ding” McCann, and brothers-in-law, Randy Gibbs and Robert Fleming. Robert is survived by his wife, Sheila, who he joined in marriage on March 3, 2003, bringing into their marriage three adult children and, at that time, five granddaughters. Sons, Robert Gunn Jr. and wife Chris, John Gunn and wife Tasha, and daughter. Janet Gunn; granddaughters, Ashley Gunn and Thomas Brim, Shayla Gunn and Brad Delfeld, Kayla Gunn and Brice Sanders, Emily Gunn, Lydia Gunn, Morgan Gunn and Marilyn Gunn, Andrew Foust and one great granddaughter, Charlotte Brim, also survive him. Surviving siblings and their spouses include, Bill and Linda Gunn, brother-in-law, Buddy Hoyt McCann, Margaret and Glenn Rousset, Raymond Gunn and Lynn, Mary Gunn, Chris and Gary Durbin, Cathi and Rich Goyette, and Winnie Gunn; and numerous nieces and nephews recall their “Uncle Bobby” fondly. Lifelong friends David Bartley, Ron Greenwalt, and Phil Logan remained in touch and supported him until his death.

While having retired from Chrysler, Robert worked at various jobs from childhood to earn money for his own needs. He recalled working with Budge as a great joy until his father retired, starting at age 3, moving stones when graves were opened, until he dug one solo at age 13 in a small rural Missouri cemetery. Like many of his siblings, he was an excellent athlete, until a broken ankle ended his adult softball career, choosing work security over future injury. He exercised throughout his adult life, and enjoyed playing pool, gardening, push mowing and yardwork, fishing (especially with family) and watching celestial objects - finding obscure planets, moons and comets - much to the delight of family and friends. Robert did not start traveling far from home until his early 30s and made it a priority to visit the American southwest and National Parks, targeting many locations where old Western movies were filmed, and driving to many towns and locations mentioned in the old TV serial westerns.

Enduring many wants that accompany a large family, Robert always was a hard worker, but also volunteered in helping neighbors. He, with his wife, set up a shoe and clothing fund at a local grade school. Teachers would contact him to bring gift cards to purchase needed socks, shoes, and winter coats when a need was identified. He helped in the church nursery, kitchen and did weekly Sunday clean up after services, and vacation bible school. He volunteered at homeless shelters and was chauffeur to granddaughters while they lived in Oklahoma City. Although he labeled himself Sheila’s “sou chef”, he taught her how to make chicken and noodles, and while recalling his mother‘s thanksgiving meal as the best in the world, doing dishes standing at the sink in his mother’s kitchen – until his sisters “grew up and could take over” exempting him from kitchen help for many years. After that release from kitchen chores, Robert could be found outside with his father doing all sorts of odd jobs and spending plenty of time playing with his siblings and the neighborhood children.

In the years before “dyslexia” was commonly known, which impacted his reading but not his memorization gifts, he had a gift for math and numbers, and ability to recall endless trivia. Upon using his brother Bill’s newly issued boot camp corrective vision glasses, he found “the trees all have leaves”.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks consideration for donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Frontotemporal Dementia Association or Alzheimer’s Association.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the Gunn family.