Earl Gummelt

Earl Wayne Gummelt, age 85 , passed away December 23, 2011 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa following a brief illness. Earl was born February 12, 1926 to Sallie Annie Deer and Otto Gummelt at Star, Texas in Hamilton County.

On October 14, 1944, Earl Wed Minnie Marie Steinmann of Priddy, Texas , Mills County. They were married in Goldthwaite, Texas. Marie was the love of his life. They were devoted to each other for more than 67 years. Their focus was their family, and they enjoyed strong bonds with their brothers and sisters. They shared a life of familycentered activities, vacations, family reunions, and attending sporting events. He enjoyed churning homemade banana ice cream at family summer gatherings.

Earl was a patriot and a true example of The Greatest Generation. He served in the U.S. Army from October 23, 1944 to October 23, 1946. He served in the Second SquadronSeventh Calvary which was the first allied unit officially to enter the city of Tokyo, Japan since the declaration of war on December 8, 1941. The Second
Squadron entered Tokyo September 8, 1945 en route to the U.S. Embassy, where it was the guard and ceremonial squadron for Genereal MacArthur at the raising of the first American Flag there since December 7, 1941.

Sergeant Gummelt received decorations and citations that included the Victory Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Bars, AsiaticPacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with 1 bronze star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Occupation Ribbon Japan.

When he returned from the war in 1946, Earl and Marie moved to Odessa. He went to work in the oilfield Starting with BB Construction Company. In 1951, he began working for Atlantic Refining Company, which later became ARCO Oil and Gas Company. He progressed through the company and was transferred to Crane in 1971. He retired in 1985 as Senior District Production Supervisor, and he and Marie moved back to Odessa. After retirement, he enjoyed reading the paper, drinking coffee, following the stock market, and watching the Astros and Rangers from his favorite recliner.

Earl is survived by his wife, Marie, of Odessa daughters, Doris Stewart and husband Isiah Spikes of Houston and Betty Patterson and husband Larry of Arlington son, Gerald Gummelt of Houston. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Robin Wright and husband Matt of New Braunfuls, Greg Stewart and wife Nellie of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Chris Stewart and wife Danielle of Bentonville, Arkansas, Jason Patterson and wife Amber of Brock, Scott Patterson and wife Angela of Conroe, Jill McCary and husband Brian of Frisco, Haley Gummelt of Tallahassee, Florida, and Russell Gummelt of Lubbock. Also a sister, Doris Athylene McCasland of Odessa. He is survived by 16 greatgrandchildren and one greatgreatgrandson. He was preceded in death by his parents. 3 brothers, and 5 sisters.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Medical Center Hospital 8th floor and Compass Hospice for their loving assistance. Special thanks to Dr. Kendall Wong and Dr. Sy Liu for their hours of care and consultation to our family.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 26, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. and will be officiated by Clydel Chapman of Northside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Butch Duncan, Bobby Reed, Sherman Reed, Ron Seider, Steve Steinman , and Vance Wittie.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, December 26, 2011
6:008:00 p.m.

Service

Memorial Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
10:00 A.M.

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762