Harry "Russ" Ruston Gunter

We are deeply saddened that Harry Ruston “Russ” Gunter passed away on May 10th, 2024. Russ grew up in a loving household in DeKalb County, Ga the son of the late Julia Mae Kelly Gunter and Charles Harry Gunter. He was the middle child of two brothers Greg Gunter (married to Kim) and Rick Gunter (married to Alisa), and all three boys played sports year-round growing up. Russ went on to play football in college at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His parents and brothers were extremely proud to travel to most of his games and watch him compete. His senior year of college he suffered a broken leg which ended his football career.

Later Russ moved to Athens, Ga, where he raised two children, Jamison Lea (Gunter) Baynes, married to Adam Baynes and his son Ruston Harry Gunter married to Marci Anthony Gunter. He was an active father and helped coach many of Ruston’s Little League teams. He enjoyed taking his daughter to all of the Oconee County Warrior football games and sharing great memories together. He was also the very proud “Papa” to his grandson William Baynes (age 12) and loving uncle to Zachary Gunter (married to Ashlyn Gunter) and Morgan Gunter.

Russ was a member of Beech Haven Baptist Church for many years where he served as a Deacon and a Sunday school teacher to 11th and 12th grade students as well as the young married couples class leader. In his professional life Russ worked as a Manager at Overhead Door Corporation then transferred to sales with Southern Power Sales, where he was a Sales Executive. There he sold and brokered power plant equipment to the greater South Eastern area of the United States. His sales job kept him on the road traveling & making friends across the country. 

He was fortunate to have made many lifelong friends throughout his career. Russ retired early and spent the last 14 years doing his favorite things, golfing, sitting by the pool, cheering for the Atlanta Braves & the Georgia Bulldogs, attending many of his grandson’s football & baseball games and spending time with his family & friends. We’re sure he would want to get the word out about the hole-in-one he shot at Jennings Mill Country Club. He could be found at Rafferty’s Bar & Grill almost every single night, where he knew just about everyone. Russ always loved to have a good time and he kept his sense of humor going till his final hours in his brave battle against Alzheimer’s disease. He was blessed to be surrounded by family and friends in his final days and his son and daughter-in-law were by his side when he passed. He will be missed by many but he is finally back to being “better than he deserves” in Heaven.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad Street, Greensboro, GA 30642.  The family will also receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at Hotel Indigo, 500 College Avenue, Athens, GA 30601.  The family requests that any memorials be made to Lake Oconee Academy Athletics, 1021 Titan Circle, Greensboro, GA 30642.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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