Lamoine Charles Gunnell was born February 28, 1943 in Mesa, Arizona. He is the son of the late J. Darwin and Olive Christopherson Gunnell, and was the second oldest of six children. His older brother Brent, younger brothers Steve, Doug, and Scott, and his younger sister Kay. After graduating from Mesa High School in 1961, he attended one semester at BYU in Provo, Utah. He then went on to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Eastern Atlantic States mission from February 1962 through February 1964. On July 11, 1964 Lamoine was sealed to his high school sweetheart & love of his life Susan Simmons, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. In April of 1965 their oldest child, Robert Lamoine was born, followed by David Simmons in 1968. Lamoine graduated with his bachelors degree in Business Administration from ASU in 1969. Twelve years later, in November of 1981, their youngest daughter Lisa was born.
After graduating from ASU, Lamoine spent his entire career growing and advancing the family tire and automotive service business. He started off managing the recap tire center in Mesa, eventually moving up to sales and management of the Big O Tire store on Main St. As the family business grew, Lamoine then took control of the Southwest US distribution center for Big O Tires. After many years, he sold the warehouse and found himself back in the retail tire business at Gilbert and McKellips, rebranded as Gunnell’s Tire and Auto. This is where he excelled until his retirement in 2015.
A life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lamoine had a deep rooted testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ. He served in various callings in The Church including, young mens advisor, high priest group leader, stake clerk, ward missionary, as well as a Mesa temple worker, which he loved.
Lamoine is survived by his wife Susan; children Bob (Lisa) Gunnell, David (April) Gunnell, and Lisa (Aaron) Carling; 15 grandchildren with 8 spouses; 9 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Dear Gunnell Family,
The Evans family are deeply saddened with the loss of Lamoine. He will be greatly missed. We send you our love, and keep you in our prayers that you will have peace and comfort, trusting in Our Heavenly Father’s plan and the promise of the resurrection and eternal families. Love, Dave & Gail Evans
Lamoine will be greatly missed. He has a special place in my heart.
Kelly and I are so sad to hear Lamoine is no longer here on earth. He was the best boss ever! He was always fair and ran a really tight ship. His smile and pleasant way he talked and treated others were his finest atributes. We are so sorry for your loss Susan and family. Until we meet again….
Kelly and Gwen Kartchner
What Strength and Courage Lamoine showed to his Family, Friends, and those he met every day. Lamoine touched so many hearts….how do we know, because he touched ours lives, from the first day we met him and Susan. No pain, no more suffering….only the Love that he surrounds all of us with, his Memories.
It is sad to learn of the passing of our friend and Ward Member Lamoine! We have been friends and neighbors since school days. His company has serviced our cars and that of our family for years. We have been in his and Susan’s home many may times and each time it has be warm, friendly and gracious. Lamoine will be greatly missed. We wish the blessings of Heaven to be with Susan and the family as they adjust to his passing, until they will be together again. Roc and Sydney Arnett
We send our most sincere condolences to Susan and family. I was good friends both Brent and Lamoine when we all lived in Fraser Field. Lamoine and my brother Ned who’s funeral was held on Feb 11, 2022 and myself all served in the Eastern Atlantic Mission. It was always good to talk with Lamoine at the tire shop. HE will be greatly missed for his friendship and friendly smile
To whom the bell tolls.. It tolls for thee. I met Lamoine back in 2000. I started a business as a printing broker and he was my 2nd client. He remained so until I retired in 2018. Lamoine was no nonsense and believed in a days work for a days pay as do I. We didn’t talk much in the early years. He was very busy and heavily involved in his business. But with the passage of time and as our lives slowed down we talked more and opened up to each other. We had a mutual respect for each other and understanding being from the same generation of working for what you got. What I will remember most and miss is he always accepted me for who I am. I really appreciated that. Oh how he loved his grandchildren! His face would light up when he talked about them. I had a good friendship with Lamoine and many memories. I’m smiling as I write this. He would say the funniest unexpected things at times. Lamoine, thank you for your friendship. My prayers to your lovely wife, son David and your family and friends. Godspeed into eternity.
Lamoine will be missed! I enjoyed the years he and I were Home Teaching companions. I believe that was the first time I didn’t have to take the reins to ensure our families were visited each month. Lamoine was always so kind, and so willing to help others. My condolences to Susan and Lamoine’s extended family.
A truly great man, teacher, boss, and a great friend. I have learned so much from him. He will be missed by many
So sorry to hear this news. What a great man that I enjoyed working with over so many years in business. He was always positive and encouraging and always took care of me and my family at the tire store. I was blessed to know him and send our prayers and thoughts to all the family at such a tender time. May the Lord bless you all and fill the loss with tender memories of this great man.
Lamoine always had a smile and a kind word—at work, at home, at church, in the temple, in the community. He always asked about my family and loved knowing what they were doing. Lamoine shared delicious cookies and was always willing to serve wherever he was needed. His family all share these same traits—smiles and kind words and service minded (not sure about their cookies!) Lamoine will be remembered and will always be loved and missed. His smile and gifts will serve many now on the other side of the veil. Families are forever! We love you Gunnell family!
Love, Lori
What a wonderful man, like all the other Gunnells. I got to know Lamoine a bit in 30th Ward and other Gunnels in Estate Groves ward and now in 46th Ward. It seems there are Gunnells everywhere I go, especially when I need tires. Lamoine always had a smile. I hope you all can find peace in a life well lived. His family is a testament of a life focused on gospel, education, serving and spending time with family. Much love from the Sweetnams.
In some ways it almost seems like just yesterday that Lamoine, Bill Pine and I rode the bus together from Mesa to SLC to go to the Mission Training Center. We were about the only ones on the bus for that long trip and Bill had brought with him the latest copy of Mad Magazine. We entertained ourselves for a good part of the trip laughing at the various jokes and cartoons – we had gotten most of the frivolity out of our systems by the time we arrived in SLC, well at least Lamoine and I had. When we arrived in SLC we made our way to the MTC and the first people we ran into were Spencer W. Kimball and his wife. They stopped and talked to us for a bit and were excited to meet some young men from Arizona on their way to serve missions.
After our time at the MTC we departed for our various mission fields, Lamoine to Eastern Atlantic States Mission, Bill to the mission with Headquarters in Bangor, Maine and me to Eastern States Mission. We all corresponded with each other from time to time while in the mission field.
In the years since I have often had contact with Lamoine mainly in various situations and have truly appreciated what a kind, sincere and sweet spirit he exhibited in all his dealings. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing, but know that Susan and his children are comforted by their knowledge and testimony of the gospel and their knowledge of the kind of person that Lamoine was on this earth. He set a wonderful example of how to live your life for all of us to follow. He will be missed.
I really loved Lamoine Gunnell he is like a brother to me and I really loved his jokes and also he wonderful person and he is wonderful Father and Husband and Grandfather