Public viewing for Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter draws memories, emotions for many

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A city in mourning on Saturday, remembering the life of a beloved mayor in Salinas.

Mayor Joe Gunter was laid for public viewing Saturday afternoon almost two weeks after he suddenly died at an area hospital due to complications with cancer.

Dozens of community members, city and county leaders in Salinas paid their respects to their beloved mayor at the Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel just down the street from City Hall and the police station, where Gunter worked as a public servant for 40 years.

"I've known him probably 30 years. I've always found him to be an honest, hard working, committed individual whether he was working for the Salinas Police Department as a detective or as a mayor, that commitment was really clear," said Senator Anna Caballero, a former mayor of Salinas and currently a member of the California State Senate.

One by one, the people entered the chapel where the casket was laid to give their final wishes to "Papa Joe" as some called him.

Friends and former colleagues say Mayor Gunter was a family man, a loving husband and father and had a great sense of humor. He never stopped putting the community first.

"He was an amazing man and it's a huge loss to this community," said Gemma Dailey, a friend of Gunter.

"He always made us feel welcome and he wanted to hear what we were doing and he was a cheerleader, he encouraged us," said Terry Fudenna, another friend of the mayor.

Mayor Gunter was also a Marine, serving four years in Vietnam. We have seen him wear a service pin on his jacket during interviews with KION.

He also had a passion for the California Rodeo in Salinas and barbecuing -- his chili bean recipe earned him multiple cook-off awards.

But most of all, Gunter will be remembered as a dedicated public servant who gave his all for the city he loved.

"He was willing to talk to people, didn't matter who they were," said Senator Caballero, who attended the viewing service on Saturday. "He felt like he could represent
everyone, and that was his trademark. And frankly, people loved him for it."

"We will greatly miss him, the city will know he's gone. We feel it," said Fudenna.

Mayor Gunter passed away on June 29 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. He was 73.