Obituary of Richard Morehouse Gaunt

Richard Morehouse Gaunt was born in Collingswood NJ, on May 7, 1925, and passed away at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Washington Township on January 15, 2013 after a 3-week respiratory illness. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mrs. Janet M. Gaunt, and children Edward E. Gaunt (and wife Carol) of Carrboro, NC; Mrs. Connie A. Townsend (and husband Craig) of Washington Twp; and Paul R. Gaunt of Savannah, GA. He is also survived by his brother C. Lee Gaunt (and wife Brenda) of Laurenburg, NC. He had eight grandchildren Kevin E. Gaunt, Cliff W. Townsend, Ryan M. Gaunt, Curt W. Townsend, C. Jennifer Townsend, Chad W. Townsend, Aimee R. Gaunt, Cameron R. Gaunt and five great-grandchildren Zoe A. Gaunt, Konstantinos E. Gaunt, Riley C. Townsend, Chloe R. Townsend, and Socrates I. Gaunt. Dick went to Pitman High School and in 1948 bought the original Bunker Hill School House on Hurffville Cross Keys Rd, and converted it to the family home where they still reside. He was a member of Bethel Methodist Church in Hurffville since 1950 and served on the Board of Trustees. He worked as a plumber in the Township for 14 years and then worked as a pipefitter and sketchman at DuPont Chambers Works from November 1960, until he retired on April 30, 1987. He and Janet enjoyed camping and were one of the early members of the National Campers and Hikers Association (So Jerners, and Cosmic Campers chapters) and camped with the same group of friends for almost 50 years. Dick and Janet also enjoyed traveling around the country and even took one trip to Europe. Friends may greet the family on Thursday 7-9pm and Friday after 10am in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be Friday at 11am. Interment Bethel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 481 Delsea Dr., Sewell, NJ 08080. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.