Jesse Russell GunnelsAKRON – Jesse Russell Gunnels, 74, of Rochester, and formerly of Robertsdale, Ala., and Mentone, passed at 5:40 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Woodlawn Hospital of Rochester.
Jesse was born on June 27, 1947, in Maytown, Ky., to the late William and Ruth Ousley Gunnels. On Dec. 24, 1966, in Clintwood, Va., he married Judith K. Click, who preceded him in death on Feb. 15, 2010. He then married Sandra Kopecy Parker on Aug. 20, 2010, in the Biblical Gardens of Warsaw; she survives.
He was a graduate of Maytown High School in 1965. He retired from Dalton Foundry after 39 years as a steelworker. He attended the Rochester Church of Christ and had previously attended the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of Claypool.
Jesse enjoyed fishing and collecting knives, as well as watches. He loved to socialize and be around friends and family. He was known as a friendly face at his favorite restaurants, Teel’s and The Streamliner. Jesse loved to take day trips around the area. He will be missed by his beloved dogs, Ricky and Lucy.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy Gunnels, of Rochester; daughters: Yavonna and husband John Dotson, of Silver Lake; Aggie and husband David Prater, of Mentone; Angela and husband Mark Hancock, of Rochester; a son, Jesse T. and wife Kia Gunnels, of Mentone; grandchildren: Christopher, Seth and Emily Dotson, Zachary and Noah Prater, Alycia and Justin Porter and Mia, Sophina, Olivia, twins Jesse Lee and Carter Alan Gunnels; great-grandchildren: Selah and Bowman Russell Dotson and Remington and Finley Dotson; a brother, James and wife Sandra K. Gunnels, of Mentone; sisters: Lilly Brown, of Macy; and Ellen and husband Danny Slone, of Kentucky.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Judith Gunnels; a grandson, David Aaron Prater; brothers: Sherman, Ivan, Charlie, Millard and Arnold Gunnels; and sister, Maggie Stevens.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with sons-in-law John Dotson and David Prater officiating.
The interment will take place in the Graceland Cemetery, Claypool, next to his wife, Judith.
Visitation hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.
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Donations can be made in Jesse’s memory to the family.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
