Mr.Gundry was my favorite teacher and coach at JP Stevens and earlier at John Adams Jr High. I still have report I did for his class in 9th grade... Got a "B" and was pretty proud of that. Through 4 years of track, I got to know him very well... He was a great coach and a great guy. It wasn't until my 10 year reunion that I heard he and Miss Jorgensen had gotten married. I had her English class my junior year. I was happy to hear they had gotten together as I really liked them both. As we age, it's fun to look back at people who influenced our early life and Mr Gundry was certainly that to me. So sad to find out after the fact. My thoughts go out to Laura and all his family. John T. (Tom) Valovcin, JP Stevens, Class of 1969
Both Maryanne (Myqui) Patten and I send John our condolences. It's just too bad his family didn't think to notify us of his passing. John Gundry was a good egg. A good man and a friendly face in a crowd of despicable Republicans (I'm looking at you Tony & Family) - It's so sad that you passed away because we liked you so much and we will both remember you with a smile, John. Please keep Patrick, Judy, Vern, Bill and Katie in your arms and protect them until we all meet again. Goddess bless you, John. What a guy!
Coach, You have always selflessly given to your family, friends, and community. I am honored to have had you as my teacher, coach and role model. This quote exemplifies whom you are and all that you have done for others.
Your forever grateful student and runner.
Yuval
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone,
the courage to make tough decisions,
and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
He or she does not set out to be a leader,
but becomes one by the equality of his or her actions
and the integrity of their intent.
-Douglas M. McArthur
John was an incredible human being who shared his many gifts with all of us. We are especially grateful for all he did for his students and colleagues. Laura, Patrick, and Meagan, please accept my deepest condolences as you mourn his loss. May his memory be a blessing always. Love, Jennifer H.
Mr. Gundry was one of my two favorite teachers at JPS. The other was his wife. I am fortunate that I was a student of both. I also knew Mr. Gundry as Coach, though we were in different sports bailiwicks. In the “boys are boys” days of sports, Mr. Gundry always translated his insistence on inclusiveness into his classroom. The opinion of the girls was just as important to him as the opinion of the boys, as was that of the shy student in addition to that of the bold one. He never demanded anyone’s input. He’d ask for it. If it wasn’t forthcoming, or if the input was incorrect, he was gentle. Yet he would then use his rapier-edge wit to bring the entire class back to the lesson. I loved Mr. Gundry as an educator, person, and friend. I’m sad for Laura and for all of their family, but I know that John was surrounded by unparalleled love and affection, and his keen perception would have always recognized and embraced that depth. I could write pages about my fond, dear memories of Mr. Gundry and of Miss Jorgensen—and what both of them have meant to me and my life for 50+ years. But I’ll just say that while my heart is heavy, it also contains much joy that my life crossed paths with theirs. — Tom Good, JPS Class of 1971
To the family of John I had John and his wife as teachers in JPS. They were great teachers and wonderful people May John Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family
John Gundry was a molder of men, a role model, and a wonderful cranky cuss to have a coach. My life, in work and family, is heavily influenced by my relationship with Coach Gundry. He was gruff, demanding, foul-mouthed, and loving I am a better man from knowing him, and my kids will never know the debt they owe to him. I'm glad to have known John before the world was so polluted by political corectness; he was fair, honest, and unbiased, I loved my time with him, I loved the man and I will miss him.
Love you Laura! Big hugs to you and the family.
Mrs. Gundry: I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't know if you remember me, I was the sarcastic, big-mouthed red head in your junior English class in 1975-76, still am in fact. Be well
Sincerely,
Ricky Weinbaum
