Michael Duane Gunter (2023)

DEATON, GUNTER, JORDT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:36

Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
Conway, Arkansas

Michael Duane Gunter, 61, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away July 19, 2023 following complications from Parkinson's Disease and brain surgery.

Mike was born July 2, 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert Duane and Jane ''Anne'' Gunter. Mike was a fan of all things pop culture, movies, music, books, television, comedy, and travel. He was a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor. Mike played high school football at Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, Missouri where he grew up. He was a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan.

After high school, Mike's original intention to become a forest ranger was short-lived. He tried studying business; and then luckily found his way to a film class. Finding his true calling, Mike completed his B. S. in Electronic Media at Southwest Missouri State.

Mike went on to receive an M. A. in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas, where they still award an annual scholarship bearing his name.

While attending KU, a mutual friend introduced Mike to his future wife, Kathy, who was living in Michigan. They fell in love through old-fashioned letter writing. They were married May 29, 1999 and enjoyed 24 years of marriage.

When Mike became a professor, he was fortunate enough to pass on his love of film to students at Georgia State University and then University of Central Arkansas, where he taught for 19 years. In academia, Mike was able to inspire students to follow their dreams while continuing to pursue his love of writing, producing, and directing several short films, many of which were award-winning.

Family was important to Mike. He was extremely proud of daughter, Sarah, who is following in his creative footsteps, getting her B. F. A. at UCA.

Many thanks go out to the Staff of Visiting Angels, Stonebridge Assisted Living, and Brookridge Cove Nursing Home.

Mike will be greatly missed by his wife, Kathy, daughter, Sarah, and father, Bob Gunter; his sisters, Lori (Scott) Jordt, and Susan (Travis) Deaton; his seven nieces, Andi, Madison, Livia, Jaiden, Abby, Emma and Mae; and many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Anne Gunter.

A service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Conway, AR Monday July 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Memorials can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
(Short Obituary)

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. at Winterset Livery, 115 S. 1st Ave. in Winterset. Dinner will be provided.

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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