Elder Captain Bernard Gunn

Elder Captain Bernard Gunn is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Minister Dr. Linda Gunn. He leaves behind his children Bernita Gunn (Craig) Dowdell, Syrrita (Jarvis) Gunn, Crystal Wright, Brien M.R. Gunn, DeAngelo C. Gunn, Briana V. Gunn; two sisters, Ann Elizabeth Gunn-Alexander and Ernestine Gunn; three grandchildren, Malik Dowdell, Maiya Dowdell, Deysha J. Daniel; great-grandchildren, Malik Dowdell, Jr., Lauree Gunn, Ziona Gunn, JaRien Gunn, Ezekiel M. Gunn and Sarai Thomas. A host of cousins and friends, Tyson (Cathy) Moon, Dwight (Angela) Moon, Cleo Moon Daniel, Gregory (Ramonia) Moon, Aaron Moon, William Moon, Delores Hale, Cedric Debardelabon, Lessie Debardelabon, Trasenia (Senta) Johnson, Stephanie (Quentin) Swinney, Daphanie Moon Daniel, Christopher Daniel, Aleah Moon, Keondria Moon, Jeremiah (Valerie) Moon, Lydia Peterson, Quincy Peterson, Sydney Swinney Alexandria Swinney and Dorieon Moon; a host of nieces and one nephews, Shaun Gunn, Ebony C. Gunn-Blake, Deryl Alexander, Romondo Alexander, Bob Alexander; brother-in-love, Larry (Juliette) Thomas, Kenneth (Sheyla) Thomas; mother-in-love, Mrs. Helen Foster.

Bernard Gunn was born October 7, 1946, to Cornelia Lee Moon Gunn and Ernest Gunn in Sylacauga, AL. Bernard lost his mom at the age of five and went to live with his maternal grandparents Grover Cleveland Moon and Flora Lee McNeal Moon. He began school at St. Thomas Methodist Church Kindergarten. From there he attended East Highland Elementary School until the fifth grade, he attended Gantts Quarry Elementary School in the sixth grade. Bernard attended East Highland High where he was a member of the marching band in the seventh and eighth grade. His love of football lead him to join the Mighty Indian Football team coached by Legendary Coach Haywood Scissum. As a senior he was elected Co-Captain of The Mighty Indians where his team became the first undefeated team in school history. Bernard won a football scholarship to Tuskegee Institute where he was a four-year starter, all SIAC Linebacker and Co- Captain in 1969. After College he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. After Basic Signal School he was made XO of a Student Training Company at Ft. Gordon, GA while awaiting orders for the U S Army Flight School at Ft. Steward, GA. After flight School he was assigned to Ft. Benning, GA as an Assistant Airfield Operations Officer at Lawson Army Airfield. Bernard served a tour in Vietnam with the 74th RAC as an aviator, 4th Transportation Brigade as the Signal Officer and 1st Signal Brigade as an Aviator, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, Army commendation Medal and Vietnam Service and Campaign Medal. Upon returning to the states, he was assigned to Ft. McPherson, GA as The Post Race Relations Officer and promoted to Captain. Bernard attended the Defense Race Relations Institute. Elder Bernard Gunn and his wife have faithfully served at Cutting Edge Ministries Church for more than 22 years. He has been well-respected by his Pastors Joe & Shawnneice Brock and his Church family.

The Homegoing Services of Bernard Gunn will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. Burial will follow at Alabama National Cemetery on Thursday at 1:15 PM.