Millrose Games Competitor From Mendham Passes Away

MENDHAM, NJ — Obituary provided by the Bailey Funeral Home:

James Hall Gunther, Jr., 78, son of James and Pauline Gunther of Mendham, passed away at home on Sunday, January 21. Born and raised in Mendham he graduated from Morristown High School where he ran track, and was second in the quarter mile in the county championships. He also competed in the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden.

After graduation from Colgate University in 1961, he took over his family business at Gunther Motors in Mendham, one of the oldest Chevrolet dealerships in the country. He owned and operated it until 1992, when it was sold and it became Mendham Motors.

Playing golf with his closest friend, Hank Neill, was high on his list of activities as well as playing tennis at the Mendham Golf and Tennis Club.

He is survived by his children James Hall Gunther III, of the state of Washington, Julie of California, and Amy of New York and Los Angeles, his sisters June Silvestri of Rhode Island and Patricia Hays (Brian) of Brookside, and his devoted companion Eileen Bakos .

A visitation will be held at Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham on Sunday, January 28th, from 2-5. A funeral service will be held at Bailey Funeral Home at 10 am on Monday, January 29.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Hubert’s Noah’s Ark animal shelter, 1915 US-46, Ledgewood, N.J., 07852 orstjude.org.

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