John Dudley Gunn, age 97, died Friday , June 20,2025 at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.  He was born June 17, 1928 to John Glover Gunn and Marie Wacker Gunn in Millen, Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of more than 60 years, Sallie Bradham Gunn; his brothers, George Wacker Gunn and William Robert Gunn.

He was father to John David Gunn (Nan) of Wadley, GA and Thomas Hugh Gunn of Wadley, GA  He was grandfather to Nancy Marie Gunn Berryhill (Brandon) of Thomaston, GA and John David Gunn, Jr. of Wadley, GA  He was great grandfather to Brantley King Berryhill and John Bradham Berryhill.

Additional survivors include a sibling, Evelyn Gunn Young of Millen, GA

Dudley was a member of Wadley Baptist Church and a former member of Central Baptist Church.  He had faithfully served as Deacon, Treasurer and Chairman of Deacons as well as other positions in his church.

He was a graduate of Millen High School and Southern School of Pharmacy.

He moved to Wadley in 1956, buying Tarver Drug Company in January 1957 and it became Gunn Drug Company serving our community and area for 61 & 1/2 years.  He partnered with the Harrison family to build and own Glendale Nursing Home in Wadley.  He partnered with his brother George Wacker Gunn, Sr. in Gunn Wood Company;, a wood dealer for ITT Rayonier and Union Camp Corporation.  He was a partner with Tom Armistead in Jefferson Pharmacy of Louisville.  He was active in many civic organizations as well as serving on the Jefferson County Board of Health.  He was elected and served one term as mayor of Wadley.

Dudley loved fishing; whether locally, in the St John's River in Florida, or in Canada at Laurie River Lodge.  He loved to cook and for many years had weekly or biweekly supper at his pond clubhouse with the "grumpy old men".

He had a hunting club on his property for over 30 years.  Every year he looked forward to his time of fellowship with the hunters and their families.

His family agrees that we were blessed with the best father, grandfather and great grandfather that we could ever ask for.

Sincere appreciation and gratitude is expressed to his caregivers:  Valentine Brown, Bobbie Harris, Angela Tarver, Shelia Tillman, Anna Calhoun and Harold Thompson.  Their kind and compassionate care allowed him to live at home for the last four months.

Memorial Service will be at Wadley Baptist Church Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2:00 pm with Rev. Bucky Kennedy and Rev. Randy Walden officiating.  Visitation will follow the service.

Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wadley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 71, Wadley, GA 30477; Gideons International, P.O Box 552 Wadley, GA 30477; or Bucky Kennedy Ministries, 5411 Lawson RD., Gainesville, GA 30506.