Jay M. Gunn, 61, of Buda, TX, was called to his heavenly home on December 3, 2016 with his loving wife and children by his side after a hard fought battle with failing health for many years.
Jay was born in Houston, TX, November 11, 1955, to Joe D. and Dorothy A. (Taylor) Gunn. From the very beginning, as their first born, he was a special gift to his parents, grandparents and extended family.
Jay was a natural born achiever and began his work career mowing the neighbor’s lawn for a silver dollar at the age of seven. Shortly after that he began working with his Dad refurbishing used bicycles for resale at a profit and hence his work ethic was established and continued for the remainder of his life.
The family moved from Houston to Madisonville, TX in the summer of 1969 and as was true to Jay’s character and personality he was the first to reach out and make lasting friendships and gainful employment. He was self-driven to succeed beyond most others measure and somehow managed to work, participate in school sports and enjoy life while pushing himself to graduate from high school in three years by attending summer school in Bryan, TX. He continued that pattern by working while putting himself through college in three years, beginning at Sam Houston State University before transferring and graduating from the University of Texas.
Jay’s parents saw that he had a natural gift with numbers at a very young age and recognizing that gift he worked towards and received his license as a Certified Public Accountant and eventually had his own firm in Humble, TX. There were times when family, friends or associates would be working on figures with Jay and he always amazed everyone at how quickly he could compute numbers in his head; it was one of his many God given talents.
Jay had many other careers over the course of the years. He was a partner with Madisonville Service and Supply, he built and sold numerous homes as a building contractor both in Humble and Madisonville before moving to Austin, TX and going to work for the State Board of Licensing and Regulations where he met his beautiful bride to be, Corinna (Klement) Gunn.
While working at his State job he began another side business with his two brothers, David and Don Gunn, buying antique furniture at an auction house and selling it on the side of the road on weekends. Out of that endeavor it became aware to Jay the need for rental trailers to haul the furniture and from that was born the Three Gunn Trailer Rentals. The trailers were to be seen in numerous business locations in the South Texas area and next in line was a store front for the rentals as well as a vehicle inspection station. From that he came up with a plan to include equipment rentals at that same South Austin location and eventually grew the business to include a North Austin location and Top Gunn Equipment Rentals continues to thrive today. That is the type of hard working visionary that Jay was all of his life.
Some people would find it difficult to achieve all that Jay did in his career and still have a personal life but he was as dedicated to his family and friends if not more so. There was in fact a thin line between family and business as many of his partners and employees became an extended part of his family over the years.
More than all of these business achievements Jay was most proud of the family he was born into and the one he was so fortunate to create when he met his wife of 24 years and they began their own family. He was an amazing, loving father to his two children, Joe and Mackenzie. His children and wife were the joys of his life and what kept him here on this earth through health struggles that most men could have never endured for such a lengthy time. And throughout his years of living with pain and limitations, he faced it every step of the way with determination and without complaint.
Jay was known by many as having a shrewd mind for business but at the same time anyone who knew him knew his great capacity for his fellow man. He would be the first to assist anyone that needed a helping hand. He also had a sharp wit, an endearing sense of humor and a beautiful smile that he generously shared.
Jay was a man of faith who loved his family, his friends, animals and nature. He loved to fish and always made certain he had time to spend with his family, teaching his children about fishing and hunting and any other activities they were inclined to learn and experience.
Jay will be missed by so many but he will remain in the hearts and memories of all who were fortunate enough to know and love him!
Jay was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Don Gunn and Jim Kronwinkler; brother-in-law, Will Rogers and sister-in-law, Ruth Gunn. He is survived by his wife, Corinna, son, Joe and daughter Mackenzie Gunn of Buda, TX; sister, Belinda (Happy) Gunn Rogers of Buda, TX; brother, David Gunn of Kyle, TX; brother, Mike Kronwinkler of Manvel, TX; brother, David Straughan and wife Cynthia of Willis, TX; sister-in-law, Wendy Gunn of Buda, TX; partner, Brandon Marrs and wife Alicia of Austin, TX and many more family and friends who will miss him dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Buda United Methodist Church, 310 San Antonio Street, Buda, TX 78610. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.