Funeral services for Ray Gunnell Jr., of Jennings, Louisiana, are Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Jennings with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Rev. Brian Wells will officiate. Matthews & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 15, 2016, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Matthews & Son Funeral Home and Wednesday, March 16, 2016, from 8 a.m. until time of services.

Mr. Gunnell, 79, died Saturday, March 12, 2016. He was born March 30, 1936, in Topeka to Ray Gunnell and Myrtle Thames Gunnell.

Mr. Gunnell worked as a gager for Shell Oil until he retired. He loved spending time with his family and friends, as well as woodworking. Ray was loved by many and will be tremendously missed by all.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ray and Myrtle Gunnell Sr.; his beloved wife, Bonnie Boyd Gunnell; two sisters, Ina Mae King (Clell) and Mary Maude Calhoun; and one brother, Joe Harvey Gunnell.

Survivors are his son, Judge Steve Gunnell (Michelle) of Jennings, Louisiana; daughters, Sonya Heichelheim (Brent) of Longview, Texas and Karen McCullough (Scott) of Youngsville, Louisiana; sister, Jimmie Sistrunk (Donald) of Gulfport; and six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

To extend online condolences, please visit our website at www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.