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LION DAVID GUNTHER 1952 -2009

 

On 19^th August 2009, Flint & District Lions Club lost Dave Gunther to Higher Service. Dave had been a member of our club for many years and had served as President in 1991/1992. For many years he acted as Minute Secretary.

 

Dave was a Flint man: he had been Manager at Flint Post Office until the powers that be decided Flint did not need a Post Office. Because of his roots and his position at the post office, Dave was well known and a very popular man. I never ceased to be amazed at the number of people who would come up to him whilst we were fundraising in the town. Not only did they know him, David knew all of them.

 

He was an artistic man in many ways. If we wanted posters for any of our activities, David would create brilliant posters on his computer. When, in 1993, Flint club hosted the District Convention, David designed the convention pin (see photo). People have been saying, recently, that it was the best design the District ever had. Typical of David, he presented the club with two designs to choose from. I tell you this, David’s second design knock spots of anything produced since!

 

He followed his father’s interest in bowls and was an active member of Oakenholt Bowling Club. He helped create social and fund raising ties between the Bowling Club and the Lions. We are presently exploring with the Bowling Club and David’s wife, Ann, how we can usefully commemorate David in a way that involved his bowling club.

 

Bowls was not David’s only sporting interest. He was a very keen Manchester United supporter. He was always willing to attend our bedding plant distribution exercises and was a very able packer. It was noticeable, however, that, on days when the exercise coincided with United being in the Cup Final, David’s allotted tasks were completed well in advance of the other lines!

 

One evening, Manchester United made the mistake of qualifying for a European Cup game on an evening when the Gregorys were holding an “at home” for the Lions. David and Ann arrived and as invariably happens on such occasions, the men find themselves in the kitchen (temporary bar) and the ladies chat in the lounge. The only TV in the kitchen in those days was a 5” monochrome relict of the days when our caravan was battery powered. David didn’t miss a second of the match. Others watched over his shoulder. The score / time section on the screen was so small none of us could read it!

 

David was superb at quiz games. If an evening’s entertainment consisted of a team quiz, I always aimed to be in his team: whether we were involved in sport, music or general knowledge, David was the tops!

 

Beyond his work, sport and Lions, David was primarily a family man. He was devoted to Ann, their children and grandchildren. He never tired of talking to us about them and was always ready to play is part as husband, dad and granddad.

 

We can understand just how much his family miss David. The club members and their wives also miss him as a friend and a valued colleague.

 

 

David Gunther taking over as President from John Gregory in 1991

 

 

 

David’s design for 1993 Convention pin

 

 

Flint Lions at Car Boot Sale

 

We attended a car boot sale in Mold on 13^th September.

 

Photos show John Gregory and Ken Greig trying to sell a tortoise that had ceased to be and 20 month old Dion Gregory taking the sale from a car boot literally.