James Danial Gonder

James Danial “Dan” Gonder passed away on August 30, 2013 at the DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne, Alabama. He was born in Tennessee on Saturday, January 12, 1935 to Thomas Warner Gonder and Sallie Foster Gonder. After spending most of his childhood in Viola, Tennessee, he served as an Airedale in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga and the U.S.S. Randolph. Following his naval career, he was involved in operating The Viola Milling Company owned by his family in Viola. He later worked with his brother, Dee Roy Gonder, at Ram Tool & Supply Company in Birmingham, Alabama until retiring in 1996. Dan had many friends and avidly embraced life, which were exemplified by his varied activities, skills and hobbies. He was an accomplished musician, most notably playing trumpet and banjo in bands with friends and colleagues as well as singing karaoke with many loved friends. As a young man, he also piloted small aircraft. Dan’s real passion throughout his adult life, however, was boating. He spent most of retirement living aboard his boat on the Tennessee River in Guntersville, Alabama. He was also an active member of the U.S. Power Squadron (U.S.P.S.) for over thirty years, and served a term as a Commander of the Birmingham Chapter of the U.S.P.S. in 2005. Dan was predeceased by his brothers Forest Gonder, John Gonder and Dee Roy Gonder, and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Clarke Gonder, and his sisters Oma Shubert, Joanne Cunningham and Marie Stubblefield. He is the beloved father of Tommy Gonder and Katy Gonder; “Pa” was the grandfather of Alex Gonder, David Gonder, Sophia Kujawski, and Christopher Kujawski; and great-grandfather of Parker Gonder and Sarah Brooke Gonder. Memorial services are planned for Columbus Day Weekend in Guntersville, Alabama and in Viola, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the United States Power Squadron Educational Fund, Administrative Assistant, P.O. Box 30423, Raleigh, North Carolina 27622 (http://www.usps.org/edfund/contribute.htm).