David Irving Gunn

David Irving Gunn, age 90, of Orlando, Florida went peacefully on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. David was born in Derby, CT, early on the morning of Father's Day, to Anne Maude Stailing and George Edward Gunn.

His mother's family was from Digby, Nova Scotia. His father’s from Northern Scotland in the mid-1600s. As a child, David experienced poor health due to rheumatic fever and spent much time in bed. In January 1944, the Gunn’s moved to St. Petersburg, FL, after doctors said his health would not improve in the cold climate. As a shy young man, David enjoyed reaching anything historic, with a specific fascination with Civil War history. Spending much time in bed due to illness, David was given a phonograph and developed a taste for classical music. He collected more than 500 records at one time, with favorites being Wagner, Handel and Beethoven.

David’s mother, Anne, spent extraordinary amounts of time by his bedside during bouts of illness. While David was originally baptized Methodist, he was raised Congregationalist and credited her with cultivating his tolerance for the religious beliefs of others. This left a large mark on him throughout his life. His parents divorced and Anne remarried an Air Force man, Thomas McBride in December 1950, then moving to San Antonio, TX. David joined the Air Force in June 1951 where he served 26 years, 25 of them as an air traffic controller. He met Elizabeth Lachner in Munich, Germany, and they married on December 4th, 1954. After retiring as a MSGT from the Air Force, David eventually retired from Sears.

He loved music, was a voracious reader, enjoyed food and cooking, dancing, and was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) and Air Force Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers Association clubs, had a passion for travel and visited many faraway lands during and after his military service. He was stationed in Germany, Morocco, Spain, and Thailand. He and Elizabeth often travelled on Pilgrimages together. He was a life-long learner and fascinated by other cultures. Above all, he loved and was dedicated to his family. In the words of his beloved wife, “he was very kind and gentle, devoted to his family, a good father, a wonderful husband, and ‘her angel.’”

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Christine Anne Trafelet-Jones of Pensacola, FL. He is survived by his daughter, Marie Louise Sampson of Clermont, FL, spouse Harry Gunagan; son-in-law Charles Christy Jones; grandchildren Tanya Tremoulet and spouse Tyson of Edmonds, WA; Suzanne Hopkins and spouse Max of Summerville, SC; and Donald Trafelet of Westlake, FL; great-grandchildren Ian Rudd and spouse Leah of Olympia, WA; Mason and Cecilia Hopkins; great-great-granddaughter Ella Rudd. He was preceded in death by stepbrothers Richard and Robert Cornell and half-brother Billy Gunn; and is survived by stepbrother Jonathan Cornell of Cosby, TN; and cousin Micky Sorman of Watertown, CT.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 4545 Anderson Rd., Orlando, FL. A private military funeral will follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Macular Degeneration Foundation or The American Red Cross.

To leave online condolences to the family, please visit http://www.dignitymemorial.com.