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James S. Gunst
12/30/2024
James S. Gunst passed away on December 30, 2023 in Deland, Fl. James was born on September 7, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to the late Cyril C. Gunst and the late Mary A. Gunst. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Anna May "Rusty" Gunstr his brother Cyril C. Gunst, Jr., and his sister, Mary Jane Topnick. He is survived by his two children, daughter Nancy (husband George) Vernau, and son Jimmy (wife June), 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. James was the founder in 1958 of the James S. Gunst Co., Inc., now in its third generation of operation. He was a golf member at Butler Country Club for 76 years, was former President of the Shaler Township School Board, was a proud lifelong Republican, a stock market aficionado, lifelong Pitt football fan, a Pirates fan who attended the 7th game of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field with his son, and was a lover of all forms of history, especially of his hero, Douglas MacArthur. He was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, having earned a full Naval Scholarship to Duke University in Durham, N.C. upon graduation from Shaler H.S. in 1943. He entered his formal service as an Ensign in 1946 and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant until his discharge in 1947. He commanded a large contingent of Officers and enlisted men as they sailed all over the Pacific on the U.S.S. Texas. There will be no visitation and only a grave sight burial.