Gunn, Robert "Bob" Leyton
Obituary
Robert L. (Bob) Gunn, 82 of Plano, Texas passed away at T. Boone Pickens Center at Faith Presbyterian Hospice on October 11, 2018 after a courageous 4-year battle with Angiosarcoma. The much loved and only son of Ewing L. and Blanche (Carrington) Gunn in Goose Creek Community, TX (which later became Baytown) on January 20, 1936. A Boy Scout from an early age, Bob achieved the highest honor of Eagle Scout in his teens. In 1954 he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and from the University of Texas at Austin in January 1958 with a BBA degree. In addition, he was given a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force through the AFROTC program at UT. Bob served in the Air Force from 1959 to 1963. After 14 months of intensive pilot training on both propeller and jet aircraft (T-34, T-28, and T-33), he received the silver wings of an Air Force pilot, flying the B-47. After discharge from active duty, he joined the Mississippi Air National Guard in 1963, and transferred to Texas Air National Guard (TANG) in 1965 flying KC97 and C-130—retiring in 1979 as a Lt. Col. He worked in the business world for two years before being employed by Braniff International Airlines in 1965. In 1982, after flying 18 years as a Captain for Braniff (Convairs 340 and 440, BAC111; Boeing 707,727,747—Europe and Hawaii, and DC8—US and South America; the airline declared bankruptcy. For the next year, Bob temporarily flew for Air Niagara. In 1983 he was hired by Piedmont Airlines, based in Greensboro, NC. When Piedmont later merged with US Air he was based in Charlotte NC, flying the Fokker 28,737, and 727, and retiring from US Air 1996 as a Captain. Bob was a man for all seasons of life, grateful for all the opportunities afforded him, and generous with his time and treasure. He loved Jesus his Savior, his family, his pilot band of brothers, friends he made throughout his life, fast cars, boats, water- and snow-skiing, the Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, guns, airshows, cowboy boots, good food, Jack Daniels, nice clothes, and his Gold Rolex. The list of who and what he loved is endless. He had a brilliant mind, a self-deprecating sense of humor and a cheerful personality that absolutely lit up a room. A longtime member of Grace Presbyterian Church (GPC) in Plano, TX, Bob served as an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister, and went on mission trips to Honduras. He attended Sunday morning Bible Boomers, Saturday Men’s Bible Study, and participated in Bill Glass Prison Ministry and Top Gun. He volunteered for 14 years lining up and transporting church-purchased army blankets and donated milk and juice from Schepps Dairy to the Austin Street Shelter for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Bob was a generous servant in giving of his time, he volunteered at Vitas, Faith Presbyterian Hospice, CASA in Collin County, and First Presbyterian Church’s Stewpot for 5 years. He was a member of the Dallas QBs (Quiet Birdmen) and the Braniff International Silver Eagles (BISE). Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Ewing and Blanche Gunn. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Shirley Gunn; Bob’s daughter, Pam (Jeff) Binford of Farmers Branch, and son Leyton (Janet) Gunn of Houston; Step-daughters Karen (Wes) Hylton of South Bend, IN; Judy (Steve) Lewis of Plano; Susan (Steve) Lengyel of Frisco; Will (Alison) Binford of Austin; and Katherine Binford of New Braunfels; step-grandchildren, Michael, Phillip (Kristin), Sarah, and Daniel (Karoline) Lewis; Layne (Stephanie) Twist of Bella Vista, AR; Adam (Alex) Deeb; and Alexandra Belmares; great-granddaughters Adeline Elizabeth and Emma Valeen Binford; step-great granddaughters, Skylar Twist and Violet Grace Lewis. He loved his only surviving aunt, Elizabeth Carrington-Norvell as well as his many cousins, nieces, and nephews from the Gunn and Carrington families. A memorial service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 4300 W. Park Blvd. Plano, Texas on Saturday, October 27 at 2:00 pm. Bob will have a military burial with honors at DFW National Cemetery, Veteran’s Columbarium to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Dallas Salvation Army, or the Presbyterian Children’s Home in Waxahachie, TX. Revelation 19:11, 16, ESV Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The onesitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11, 16, ESV). Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700
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Bob was a fantastic friend. I will miss him forever.
Dear Pam, I am sorry for your loss. Emil and I have lost all 4 of our parents so we know the loss so we’ll. Hugs
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
I am so sorry for you loss. I have very fond memories of Bob as he was one of the first Captains I flew with as a new hire Flight Engineer in Greensboro for Piedmont. We were often the midnight ferry crew to Winston Salem. I thought he was a super person and great Captain to fly with. God Speed
Always enjoyed going to the NASCAR races with Bob and his band of merry friends. God Bless.
I remember Bob from our Piedmont days.I was a pilot crew scheduler. I delt with Bob quite often. He was a wonderful man to work with.He was pleasure to work with as all the Braniff pilots.Theres no question about it,Bob is up there where we all hope to be one day.God bless Capt.Bob,rest in peace.
Bob was such a great guy to fly with in Charlotte. God speed.
Shirley, I am so saddened hearing of Bob’s passing. During our years at Piedmont, I always valued my time around Bob, whether in the Crew room or doing Union work. He was a consummate Gentleman and you could tell a loving Family man.
What a resume for a true gentleman and professional. My condolences to Bob’s family Enjoyed flying with him in Greensboro
I’ll miss seeing your smiling face at the weekly vets breakfast group. Loved to exchange “war” with you. God’s speed Bob, you’ll be missed.
Dear Shirley, we are sorry that Bob has left us for a better place. We will see him again.
We enjoyed our time and visits with you all when we were with Piedmont in North Carolina and Braniff. God’s Bless you Bob.
Shirley, So sorry to hear the news about Bob. What a great guy. Enjoyed being your friend and neighbor and our Piedmont family.
I flew with Bob based I Greensboro. What a resume he had . Never met a nicer guy and true professional .My sincere sympathy to his family
Bob was a great friend and remember buying my first flight kit from him. will see him again one day. among other things we flew the KC-97 together with all the trips to Germany. Rest in peace Brother.
I am an Aggie. I flew often with Bob at Braniff. We had some great times kidding each other over our respective schools. We remained good friends after Braniff and I will truly miss him. Here is a Hook Um for Bob. God bless .
He will be sorely missed by all his REL classmates of 1954.