Earl Joseph Lawrence "E.J." Gunther

Earl Joseph Lawrence “E.J.” Gunther passed away at Chateau Terrebonne Health Center in Houma, Louisiana on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at age 89. E.J. was the only son born to Charles Lawrence “Gabe” and Norma Marie (Jones) Gunther on June 10, 1927 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Educated in New Orleans public schools, he was especially proud to have graduated from Samuel J. Peters High School in June, 1944 shortly after his seventeenth birthday. With parental permission because he was still a minor, E.J. soon enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country in World War II. After honorable discharge at the rank of Seaman First Class when the war ended, he continued what would be a 40 year federal career with the Veterans’ Administration and retired as Executive Director for the Federal Executive Board of the State of Louisiana. On September 14, 1968, he married Beverly Rose Hymes, and she was his “Babe” for nearly 48 years until she predeceased him by exactly 7 months. E.J. and Bev were regulars for many years dancing with friends on Sunday nights at the Jefferson Orleans. His other loves were telling jokes, golf, hats, and eating the largest raw oysters on the half shell he could get. E.J. had two sisters; Myra G. Berthiaume who died in 1967 and gave him the gift of her granddaughters, Myra Claire and Mattie Grace Berthiaume. After arriving in Houma in June 2016, he forged a special loving bond with his grandnieces Myra and Mattie and their mom, Wendy Berthiaume, during their daily morning visits to bring him snacks, smiles, songs, kisses, and hugs before the girls went to school and mom on to work. His surviving baby sister Joan G. Hooks of Metairie and her husband Lamar visited E.J. faithfully, and along with love and support, brought his favorite dishes from New Orleans restaurants he loved. And he had a “bonus baby” sister in his first cousin and godchild, Cathy Schweitzer Toepfer of Houma, who with her husband Henry, tried their best to keep him well cared for, dignified, and comfortable daily though his serious medical conditions at his life’s end. In addition, he is survived by his niece Leslie B. Klos (Jim) and their son Zachary Klos, nephews Michael C. Berthiaume (Wendy), parents of Myra and Mattie, Louis “Briant” Berthiaume (Lorie) and Lamar O. Hooks, Jr. (Natalie).The family would like to express their gratitude to all those who were there for E.J. and his family. Through expressions of love with care and visits, prayers, food and support, your outreach made a difficult time much easier. You will always be remembered for your love, care and compassion.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans ( www.dav.org ), Fisher House Foundation ( www.fisherhouse.org ) or to the charity of your choice that supports veterans and their families.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Visitation at MOTHE FUNERAL HOMES, 2100 Westbank Expy., Harvey, LA on Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will follow in the Funeral Home Chapel. Interment Westlawn Memorial Park.
For directions or to view and sign the online guest book, please visit: www.mothefunerals.com .