John Gunn RIP

airgrabber · 04-10-2011, 10:08 AM

First met John not long after he took over the old shop from Tony Chickory, looking to get a motor built. I can still see that old Storm Vulcan near his bench where he did valve jobs, and the hot tank that never seemed to shut off. His place was always busy. Spent many many hours at the old and new shop chewing the fat, having fun, hearing war stories, and learning as much as I could. After moving away from the area I would occasionally pop back in to say hello, and it was like I'd only been there yesterday, although years had passed.

Flipping thru the obits at the Journal web site, and reading his really hurt.

Rest easy pal; say hello to Jimmer...

Linda, Pop, Amanda, you are in everyone's thoughts...

John K

Pat Hennebery · 04-10-2011, 09:59 PM

I visited John last Sunday and he was in good spirits and not in any pain. He complained about feeling ok but very, very tired and weak. It was like he was trying to figure out how that could be. I watched the Nascar race with him and his brother Danny for a few hours. I talked to “LIPS” about some of the Super Stock GT combinations he raced and the fuel injected late model 265 he hadn’t finished. Then Linda’s brothers and wives stopped by so I left and told Linda I would come by again soon. Not soon enough!

I talked to Linda Thursday evening and she told me John was ok on Monday but complained of some problems on Tuesday so she and his sister took him to the hospital. Linda stayed with him till about midnight. On Wednesday his condition worsened to the point that he was not responsive to her. Then Thursday John passed away in the early afternoon.

John was a unique character to say the least. He was a good machinist, meticulous with his cars, and an excellent carburetor man, especially Q-Jets and 4-GC’s used in Stock and Super Stock classes. And John was a Talker…. I called him “LIPS”.

Tomorrow I am going to John's wake and memorial service. I really feel sad that he won't be around to pick-on, bad mouth, joke with and ask for advice or the use of his shop. Whenever I called him or stopped by his shop his first words were usually "What do you need?" And he meant it…. If he could help you he would. I am going to miss that even as infrequent as it may have been. RIP Jr.

Pat Hennebery Jr.
1185 C/SM NETO

Tom Goldman · 04-11-2011, 01:27 AM

Rip John.
John was a great guy to talk with , regardless of what class you competed in he had an interest.

04-10-2011, 10:08 AM	#1
airgrabber Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: John Gunn RIP First met John not long after he took over the old shop from Tony Chickory, looking to get a motor built. I can still see that old Storm Vulcan near his bench where he did valve jobs, and the hot tank that never seemed to shut off. His place was always busy. Spent many many hours at the old and new shop chewing the fat, having fun, hearing war stories, and learning as much as I could. After moving away from the area I would occasionally pop back in to say hello, and it was like I'd only been there yesterday, although years had passed. Flipping thru the obits at the Journal web site, and reading his really hurt. Rest easy pal; say hello to Jimmer... Linda, Pop, Amanda, you are in everyone's thoughts... John K

04-10-2011, 09:59 PM	#2
Pat Hennebery Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Posts: 8 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: John Gunn RIP I visited John last Sunday and he was in good spirits and not in any pain. He complained about feeling ok but very, very tired and weak. It was like he was trying to figure out how that could be. I watched the Nascar race with him and his brother Danny for a few hours. I talked to “LIPS” about some of the Super Stock GT combinations he raced and the fuel injected late model 265 he hadn’t finished. Then Linda’s brothers and wives stopped by so I left and told Linda I would come by again soon. Not soon enough! I talked to Linda Thursday evening and she told me John was ok on Monday but complained of some problems on Tuesday so she and his sister took him to the hospital. Linda stayed with him till about midnight. On Wednesday his condition worsened to the point that he was not responsive to her. Then Thursday John passed away in the early afternoon. John was a unique character to say the least. He was a good machinist, meticulous with his cars, and an excellent carburetor man, especially Q-Jets and 4-GC’s used in Stock and Super Stock classes. And John was a Talker…. I called him “LIPS”. Tomorrow I am going to John's wake and memorial service. I really feel sad that he won't be around to pick-on, bad mouth, joke with and ask for advice or the use of his shop. Whenever I called him or stopped by his shop his first words were usually "What do you need?" And he meant it…. If he could help you he would. I am going to miss that even as infrequent as it may have been. RIP Jr. Pat Hennebery Jr. 1185 C/SM NETO

04-11-2011, 01:27 AM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,477 Likes: 892 Liked 883 Times in 237 Posts	Re: John Gunn RIP Rip John. John was a great guy to talk with , regardless of what class you competed in he had an interest. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode