Dewight Harold “Big D” Gunter, 66, of Statesville, N.C., died Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Iredell Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Swain County, N.C., on March 23, 1954, to the late Deaver Clyde Gunter Sr. and Albia Greene Gunter. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Jeff Gunter.

Dewight had worked in maintenance for Industrial Timber. He loved to read, watch Westerns on TV, Ford trucks, gardening, wrestling, Panthers football and Trump. More than anything, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Paula Stewart Gunter; two daughters, Jennifer “Dawn” Windon and Felicity G. Voorheis (Raymond); grandchildren, Chance, Gregory, RT, J, Katelyn and Natalie; great-grandchildren, Mason, Waylon, and Cadence; three brothers, Jr. Gunter (June), Frank Gunter (Angela), and Lance Gunter (Karen); a sister, Gail Street; his mother-in-law, Shirley Stewart; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Gunter; and a special “adopted brother,” Chris Crump.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel. The service will be live streamed beginning promptly at 6 p.m.

Mr. Gunter will lie in state on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be no formal visitation. Burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to help offset funeral costs and can be sent to Nicholson Funeral Home, 135 E. Front Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or by credit/debit card by phone @704-872-5287. Online condolences may be left at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.