My prayer are with you. I know the days to come will be so long and empty, but God will give you strength and comfort you.  As part of the Detroit family we will miss Punchy, and we are here for the family
Lee and Ella Edmonson  CasSandra Smith  and family

YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED.
REST IN PEACE MY GOOD FRIEND, YOUR MEMMORIES WILL BE WITH US . WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN . LOVE MAXINE SPIVEY-RIVERS AND FAMILY

Angie, Anthony, and Andrew

You all will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.

We were blessed to have known Punchy over these last fourteen years and we can say that there was never a time that he saw any of us and did not speak or ask how we were doing.  He was a good man and we will always remember the fighting spirit he possessed as we saw him checking the mail everyday this past year because we understand what that took for him. And just as he was strong God will continue to be strong in you all’s life and you all will make it through.

May God Bless each one of you.         1st Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Angie, Anthony, and Andrew,

                                        You all will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.
            
                                        We were blessed to have known Punchy over these last fourteen years and we can say that there was never a time that he saw any of us and did not speak or ask how we were doing.  He was a good man and we will always remember the fighting spirit he possessed as we saw him checking the mail everyday this past year because we understand what that took for him. And just as he was strong God will continue to be strong in you all’s life and you all will make it through.
               
                                       May God Bless each one of you.         1st Thessalonians 4:13-18.

God bless and keep you, Angela and your family in your time of sorrow.  Remember the good times it will help you through.

What fond memories I have of my cousin "Punchy". He loved to drive, never met a stranger, knew people from all walks of life -but wasn't a "name dropper". He and Angie always "Welcomed" Family into their home.  He made you laugh so  hard you would cry. A Gentle and loving person who will be missed.
LOVE You,
Your Cousin 
Dale & Sterling Blair
Oak Park Michigan

Miss him already, but will remember him always.

Angie, our hearts are saddened but not without hope to receive this news. We will include you, Anthony and Andrew in our prayers that you be comforted through this journey.

To the family of Anthony "Punchy" Gaines:
No words can ease your sorrow now, but in time, God will mend your hearts. Punchy, Stan and I were former softball teammates who became good friends. I vividly remember how sad I was the day Punchy told me he was leaving for Houston to seek a better life for himself. He had a wonderful and kind spirit, even as a young man. I pray that God has a special place in his mansion for him and I pray that God extends his blessings and grace to the family.

Sending my thoughts and prayers.
Andre (Spunk) Mitchell
Detroit, Michigan

My thoughts and prayers to Angie, Andrew and Anthony.Punchy was a special guy. 
Andrew Mitchell
(Sweden)

On behalf of the Thursday night basketball group that Punchy was part of, we will fondly remember him, his laughter, great spirit and soft touch jump shot.  May peace be upon him and his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this trying time.  Working with Tony at Kroger was a pleasure.  He always had a smile and a great disposition.  I use to see him at Macy's while shopping and we would talk of old friends we had while working together. He will be missed.

"If this earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from GOD, an eternal house in Heaven".  2 Corinthians 5:1

Our Deepest Sympathy,
Arthur & DeLores Gaines

"ONCE A PARKER ALWAYS A PARKER".  Punchy, you was and always will be a friend for life. I've known you since you were a little kid and I've watched you grow to a man respected by all.  I enjoyed playing softball with you and against you.  A class act all the way.  Pound for pound the best athelete to come out of HP.  I'll always pray for you and your family.  God bless you.

Gaines Family,
This is the day we will publicly all say good-by to Anthony...but probably, it should be `good night'. Jesus likened death to sleep (John11:11-14), and all those in God's memory will be awakened by means of the Resurrection.
That is my hope, that we will greet Punchy, and our other dead loved ones in the near future. 
My heart and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Gervus & Kim McCray, and Family!

I first met Punchy when working @ HPHS as police/ liasion officer in 1973.  What an athlete !!!! Later we played years of slo-pitch softball together with great success......God bless Stan and the entire Gaines family....Sincerely, Hugh Jewell

As a classmate (1974) and current educator in the Highland Park School system I offer the family my prayers and you should know that Punchy left us with so many precious memories and he will always be loved and cherished in Highland Park.

Angie, So, so sorry for your loss. Will be thinking of you and your family with positive thoughts and prayers.  Your flight attendant friend, Carolyn Zeiler Hays

I have only good memories of how we played sports from sun up to sun down while growing up in Highland Park, you will always be remembered as my good friend. RIP Punchy
Balsamo (Bossy) Clark

I remember being the ring boy in my cousin Punchy's wedding and I was around 5 years old at the time. It was my 1st tuxedo. 

That day went into my memory bank along with prom and college graduation. 

Angie my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I wonderful teammate but a better person.
you will be miss but God has a place for you.

So long Punchy, you'll always be a part of the Richton family. Once a Parker...

RIP ANT! Parker 4 Life, Once a Parker always a Parker

May God shine a blessing on your family, my memories of "Punchy" are ones filled with knowing a guy who knew how to be a real friend. I am sure that he will be missed, a real Highland Parker forever. Allen Eugene Looney.

Puncy never met a stranger, always happy & cheerful he has walked & talked with god spirits @ all times in his life  a man with integrity. Angie, Anthony, Andrew GOD will give you the strenght to carry on. Bonnie Cushenberry Spring, Tx

RIP My highland Park school buddy! Parker's 4 Life, once a Parker always a Parker!

March 10, 20011
Punchy you sure had a way about you, that made everyone feel comfortable and loved. I will miss hearing your voice everytime you called to wish us Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday or to just say HEY and wish us the best.  You spread LOVE everywhere you went. You touched the lives of many and truly answered God's call as an endearing husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.  You will be deeply missed and your memory will be kept always in my heart. Love and prayers to Angie, Anthony, Andrew and Aubrey. 

-

Dear Angie
May the precious memories of him live with you forever.  Start watching for pennies.
Love, Carlotta (nee Williams) Schmittgen
everybody needs a guardian angel. 

Remember this every time you pass that little penny in the parking lot. 
I always thought that it was for Good Luck, but I love this version better: 

I found a penny today 
Just laying on the ground. 
But it's not just a penny, 
this little coin I've found. 

Found pennies come from heaven, 
that's what my Grandpa told me. 
He said Angels toss them down. 
Oh, how I loved that story. 

He said when an Angel misses you, 
they toss a penny down. 
just to cheer you up, 
to make a smile out of your frown. 

So, don't pass by that penny, when you're 
feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven, 
that an Angel's tossed to you. 

So now pass this on to the people who you care 
about and who you feel are Angels to you, 

I just did. 
An Angel is now watching over you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Our hearts are sadden with the passing of Punchy.  We will always remember his smile.  May the family be strenghten in knowing that "God will take care of you".
          Eddie, Pat Mia & Family

We thank God for allowing the pleasant memories of "Punchy"... May you walk in faith knowing the comforter is beside you during this time and we will, with our sincere heartfelt, continue to lift you in prayer that your every tomorrow grows stronger and stronger.

Hi Angie   I hope this message will bring you some comfort.I lost my husband 3 years ago it does'nt get easy right away ,but once you realize we are born to die it makes it a little easier to accept, at least for me it did. so make the best of good memories because i KNOW YOU HAVE PLENTY OF THEM JUST LOOKING AT YOUR SON ,HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PUNCHY...I WAS HIS BIGGEST FAN WHEN HE PLAYED BASKETBALL IN THE PARK..YOU KNOW THE WHOLE CITY OF H.P. LOVES YOU AND PUNCHY ,MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME....GLORIA CLARK'LEE   I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS LOVE YOU. PS. if you ever need to talk call 3135341876....by the way you look just like I remember you and you look like your mom..memeories....

Punchy how could I ever forget the days and nights we stayed up talking and hanging out, playing softball with the gang at Ferris School. I wish I had the opportunity to tell how much your friendship meant to me.  Gone to soon I will miss you dearly. 
Di (The Richton Gang)

March 09,2011
To our Family in Texas
May the Lord comfort you in your sorrow,
To our Cousin, our Friend, our Punchy. We
will remember you with Love.

Although we can't be there in person Punchy is in our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers.  Punchy was always the MAN and will never be forgotten. Angie, Anthony, and Andrew you've got memories that will keep his spirit with you wherever you go.

Your Cousins Marcus and Tina from Detroit.

Punchy will be missed by all who knew him.  He was a warm and caring person.  Even during his illness, he extended himself to others.  We will always remember him and thank God for his life.

March 09, 2011
To our Family in Texas,
May the Lord comfort you in your sorrow. To our Cousin, ourfriend, our
Punchy, we Love You.

Punchy will be missed by all who knew him. He was a warm and giving person. Even in his illness he extended his caring and we are indeed thankful. Our deep sympathy and prayers are with you.

Punchy you were always so much fun to be around, you really will be missed.

Your Cousin Shaughn from Detroit

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I will never forget the good old days back in the "Park" with Punchy, my brother Morris, Edgar and Duerod....hold on to the precious memories!

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved ones and comfort you and your family today and always.
Johnnie and Barbara Gardner
142 Richton St.
Highland Park, MI. 48203

Sending our love and support during this time of great sorrow.  Uncle Punchy was an amazing person with tremendous charisma. It was an honor being his Goddaughter and neice.  I will miss the way he made everyone laugh and how caring he was to his family and friends.  We love you Uncle Punchy.

Punchy,
I love you as if you were one of my children. I will hold you in my heart forever.
Love You Always,
Cousin Aurie Mitchell
(Detroit, Michigan)

Punchy was a fun loving guy with a great personality. He was a great guy in general. --- Thomas A. Wilson Jr.

You brought us to tears of laughter and joy on our many family trips. I will miss our long distance talks. You will always be in my heart.
LOVE YOU!
Cousin Pam

Angie,  Just heard about your great loss, and want you to know I am praying for you and the boys.  May God give you the grace to get through each day as it comes.  Keep the sweet memories alive, and know that you are being lifted up.

Punchy, as far back as I can remember we have always had the best of times when we all got together.  Boy could you "crack me up".  We had many happy days at 630 and 554 Harmon as kids.  It is hard for me to "wrap my brain" around the fact that you have left us so soon but in your words I know that "every thing is going to be all right baby"
                  With Love Cousin Tena
                  From Detroit

Wish I had more time to kick it with you! Unbeknownst to you, you were also an influence for my love for music! The stereo set and turntable you had was SWEET! You were missed when you moved to TX even more now that you're no longer "with us". MUCH LOVE BIG PUNCHY!

Punchy will be greatly miss by us. Our love goes out to our Texas family at this time.We love you all !!!!! tweet (Luresia Fennell) and Darwin Fennell.

On be half of Tweet (Luresia fennell) and Darwin Fennell .We would like to send our heartfelt love to our Texas family on your lost . Punchy will be greatly missed by us !!!!!! we love you all !!!!!!

I will never forget my loving and kindhearted Uncle Punchy.  His caring and out going personality made everyone who knew him feel so comfortable and loved.  I love you and will aways keep a place in my heart for you and all the memories I have!  Your niece Laura

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  It was a pleasure working with Tony for many years at Kroger.  Tony's smile will be missed.
Sueanne Wellman
Kroger

He was my cousin.my friend my "dancing partner " when we were kids....!I always looked forward to his "holiday " calls...Always "fun" to be around-he had a way of making the best of every situation. Rest In Peace!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Punchy will never be forgotten by the Kinard family, every time I cook ribs I remember the times compeeting with Punchy cooking for the weekend family get togethers & him always winning, I felt he accepted me into his family when he finally divulged his trick to me. Please accept our codolences for the loss of my friend & a great person in all our lives.

OBITUARY

Anthony Lamar Gaines

October 19, 1954 – March 4, 2011

Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery

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