THOMAS GUTTING

Obituary of THOMAS GUTTING Thomas Lee Gutting 78 Astatula Florida passed away after a long courageous battle with cancer at his home on July 15, 2010. Tom was born September 12, 1931 in Maryville Missouri. The son of the late Lloyd O Gutting and wife Bessie Lee Harris Gutting of Kahoka Missouri. He received his education in Maryville and Kahoka Missouri and achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree of Agricultural science from University of Missouri on June 7, 1953 while also participating in the ROTC Air Force Program. On August 2, 1953 he was united in marriage to the late Patricia A. Thompson at the Trinity Methodist Church in Keokuk Iowa. Mr. Gutting was a commissioned pilot and officer in the US Air Force. He had a very distinguished career including two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel after 23 years of dedicated service to his country. The family moved to Kahoka Missouri and farmed for 10 years. Subsequently, they moved to Lake County Florida and served as the county environmental health specialist for another 10 years before retiring. On December 2, 1996 he was united in marriage to Roberta "Robin" A. Hechler. They made their home in Astatula Florida. Tom was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Robin, a daughter Lee J. Gutting Varner of Moorsville, IN; a son Douglas K. Gutting and wife MaryBeth of Jacksonville Florida; a son Stuart T. Gutting and wife Brenda of Hotsprings VA; a daughter Leslie "DeeDe" Beaird and husband Tom of Keokuk IA; two step-daughters August Brammerier of Astatula FL and Brittany Hechler of Gainsville Fl; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, a sister JoAnn "Jody" VanVeghten; the late William T. VanVeghten, of Amarillo Texas; brother Joseph Gutting and wife Jan of LaHarpe IL and host of other family and friends. Services A memorial service will be held on Monday July 19, 2010 at 11:00 am at the family home 24650 Jefferson St., Astatula, FL. The service will be performed by Dr Bob Ware Pastor of New Life Baptist Church. Memorials At Tom and Robins request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Judes Children's Hospital by calling 800-873-6983 or going to www.stjudetributes.org. May God help us find a cure to this horrible disease.

THOMAS GUTTING

September 12, 1931 - July 15, 2010