Lewis Wesley Gunning

was born October 26, 1923 in Spokane, WA and passed away on July 30, 2013 in Spokane, WA. He was the second of two children of Vernon Edward Gunning and Annie Jeanette (Sally) Gunning. He went to elementary school and high school in Davenport and later attended two years at Washington State College (now known as WSU) in Pullman, WA. There he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity for which he was especially proud to be a member as other young men from Davenport had also been members of the same fraternity at WSC. He was enlisted in the United States Air Force and was trained as a navigator. Lewis’ time with the USAF was cut short due to his father’s passing and, thus, he needed to return to the farm. Lewis married a nurse from Sacred Heart Hospital, Gene Brown, and they resided and raised their three children in Davenport. Lewis continued to farm the school land and other acreage and own the buildings of the original Gunning farm along with raising Shorthorn cattle until his retirement in 1991. He loved his horses and treasured the memories of horse events and the times riding with his daughter and his Uncle Glenn Slater, his mother’s brother. In his younger years, Lewis had been president of the local Muscular Dystrophy fund raising organization. Lewis also was a member of the Davenport Lion’s Club and because of his natural tall, handsome good looks was given the lead role of Cisco the Kid in the Lion’s Club’s plays. Lewis was considered a great dancer and used to enjoy dancing to the era of big band music. Education was important to Lewis and he made sure all three of his children obtained higher education after high school. He also was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. He loved talking of his grandfather building the state of the art barn on the original Gunning farm; of his grandfather’s brother, Dr. John Gunning who served the Davenport people; and of their brother Henry Gunning who was notorious for getting into fights (for which the name “Gunning” was probably well deserved!). Lewis is preceded in death by his only sibling, Robert Gunning. He is survived by his sons, Mark Gunning of Spokane and Brian Gunning of Benton City, and his daughter, Janice Willing of Wilton, CA; one granddaughter, Josie Gunning of Spokane; and niece, Pam Young of Grants Pass, OR. Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, Davenport, WA. Please sign the online guestbook at www.stratefuneralhome.com. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.