Adrian Gunnell

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 20, 2008

Adrian Ghlen Gunnell, 84, of Panama City, FL passed away Friday, December 19, 2008 with Anna, his devoted wife of 58 years, holding his hand, after a courageous effort to overcome multiple health conditions. Adrian was born on December 2, 1924 in Martin, Kentucky to James and Joda Gunnell, and was preceded in death by his seven brothers and two sisters.
He bravely served in WWII as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class on the USS Stern in the US Navy. He was awarded the Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal (2 stars), the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. The governor of Kentucky commissioned him as a Kentucky Colonel, and he was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. He built many beautiful homes and businesses in Kentucky and then in Panama City, FL where he has resided since 1958. He loved to fish, watch baseball, and tinker in his workshop. He was a humble, hard-working man with an unmatched sense of humor.
He is survived by his beautiful loving wife, Anna H. Gunnell; his loyal and dedicated son, Roger Gunnell and wife Constance of Panama City, FL; two faithful daughters, Dianne Miller and husband Rev. Hayward Miller of Panama City; and Judy Bazzell and husband Dr. Mark Bazzell of Troy, AL; grandchildren, Christopher Bazzell and wife Rachel of Auburn, AL; Joshua Miller and wife Melissa of Panama City, FL; Nicholas Bazzell of Florence, SC; Kristen Ellzey and husband Chadwick of Panama City, FL; and Adrianne Bazzell of Auburn, AL; one great-grandchild, Christopher Mark Bazzell of Auburn, AL, and a host of relatives and friends who were very dear to his heart.
Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 22, 2008 at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Hayward Miller and Rev. Danny Kirchoff officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM. Serving as pallbearers are Christopher Bazzell, Joshua Miller, Nicholas Bazzell, Chadwick Ellzey, Jack Bazzell, Adam Harris, and Steve Meeks. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.kentforestlawn.com.

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