On July 10th, just at the gray of dawn, the spirit of brother Lee Gunter departed the tabernacle of clay, in which it had resided barely more than forty years.

Brother Gunter had faithfully proclaimed the gospel of the Prince of Peace from his youth; most of his labors having been in North Alabama. He had recently worked with the Lord's church at Largo, Florida, and only a few months ago moved to Merritt Island, Florida.

It was the privilege of this writer to be closely associated with that righteous man for several years. I am so thankful such was my lot.

Just five days prior to his death he had been brought from Merritt Island to Huntsville, Alabama, where he was admitted to the Huntsville Hospital. He had not been there long before the doctors told his family there was nothing they could do. We fervently prayed to God, whom he had served so faithfully, but it was not His will that the "cup" pass from him.

Although for several years Lee's health had not been good, he never slackened his fervent pace in the Master's Cause. He was firmly convinced that "if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Indeed, he "preached the Word in season and out of season." He spoke out boldly (and yet in humility) against every departure from the will of God  both within and without the church. There were those who, because he "told them the truth," considered him their enemy. May they now see that their eternal soul was his concern. I sincerely believe that it can be said of Lee Gunter, as it was of the faithful of Hebrews chapter 11: " . . . he looked for a city which hath foundation whose builder and maker is God . . . (he) desired a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called (his) God: for he hath prepared for (him) a city." Yes, "There is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel." Brother Gunter will be missed. A vacancy is made in the ranks of the Master's Army, which must now be filled by others, but his influence for right and righteousness shall live on for generations.

I am sure that the sincere sympathy of all of like precious faith is extended to Sister Gunter and Barbara, his faithful wife and daughter, as well as other members of the Gunter family, who were already in mourning, in that Lee's wonderfully righteous mother preceded him in death by less than a month.

This writer joined with Brethren Carrol Sutton and Quentin McCay in memorial services, conducted on Sunday afternoon at the meetinghouse of the East Albertville church of Christ, where Brother Gunter labored for seven years.

TRUTH MAGAZINE X: 3, p. 10 December1965