On January 14, 2012, Samuel Armond Gunter went home to the Lord. He was 87 years old. Armond was born in Oakland, CA on April 8, 1924. He moved to Fillmore, CA at a young age and attended Fillmore Union High School, where he was the student body president and quarterback on the football team.
ONE MORE WWII HERO HAS LEFT US
After graduation he joined the US Navy and became a pilot, flying Corsairs. He served in the Pacific on board the USS Franklin. While he was in the air, the carrier was attacked and destroyed. He had no place to land. He was finally able to ditch his plane in the water next to a rescue ship. After the war, he returned to Fillmore and met Wanda Basolo. Three months later they were married. Armond and Wanda lived and raised their children in Fillmore. Armond worked in agriculture, spending most of that time working for Agri-Serv in Santa Paula. Armond was also an active member of the Fillmore Rotary Club. After retiring, Armond and Wanda moved to Poinsettia Gardens in Ventura where they volunteered at the Ventura County Medical Center.
Armond would always say that his dear Wanda was the love of his life and that he was blessed to be her husband. They were married for 66 years.
Armond is survived by his loving wife Wanda, their three children and their spouses. David and Donna Gunter, Lynn and Bob Williams and Jill and Bill Williams, all of Fresno CA. He is also survived by six grand children, eight great grand children and a nephew.
Graveside service will be held at Bardsdale Cemetery on Friday, January 27 at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars.