John ‘Dudley’ Gunn, 97

John Dudley Gunn, age 97, passed away Friday, June 20, 2025, at Piedmont Hospital in Au-gusta. Memorial Service will be Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at Wadley Baptist Church with Rev. Bucky Kennedy and Rev. Randy Walden officiating. Visitation will follow the service. In-terment will be private at a later date.

John was born June 17, 1928, in Millen, to John Glover Gunn and Marie Wacker Gunn. He was a graduate of Millen High School and Southern School of Pharmacy. Dudley moved to Wadley in 1956, buying Tarver Drug Company in January 1957, and it became Gunn Drug Company serving the community and area for 61 & 1/2 years. He partnered with the Harrison family to build and own Glendale Nursing Home in Wadley. Dudley also partnered with his brother, George Wacker Gunn, Sr., in Gunn Wood Company, a wood dealer for ITT Rayonier and Union Camp Corporation. He was a partner with Tom Armistead in Jefferson Pharmacy of Louis-ville. Dudley was active in many civic organizations, as well as serving on the Jefferson County Board of Health. He was elected and served one term as mayor of Wadley. Dudley loved fish-ing, whether locally, in the St. John’s River in Florida, or in Canada at Laurie River Lodge. He loved to cook and for many years, had weekly or biweekly supper at his pond clubhouse with the “grumpy old men”. Dudley had a hunting club on his property for over 30 years. Every year, he looked forward to his time of fellowship with the hunters and their families. Dudley was a member of Wadley Baptist Church and a former member of Central Baptist Church. He had faithfully served as Deacon, Treasurer and Chairman of Deacons, as well as other posi-tions in his church.

Dudley’s family agrees that they were blessed with the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather that they could ever ask for. Mr. Gunn is preceded in death by his parents; wife of more than 60 years, Sallie Bradham Gunn; and brothers, George Wacker Gunn and William Robert Gunn.

Mr. Gunn leaves behind his sons, John David Gunn (Nan) and Thomas Hugh Gunn, all of Wadley; grandchildren, Nancy Marie Gunn Berryhill (Brandon) of Thomaston and John David Gunn, Jr. of Wadley; great-grandchildren, Brantley King Berryhill and John Bradham Berryhill; and sister, Evelyn Gunn Young of Millen.

Sincere appreciation and gratitude are expressed to his caregivers: Valentine Brown, Bobbie Harris, Angela Tarver, Shelia Tillman, Anna Calhoun and Harold Thompson. Their kind and compassionate care allowed him to live at home for the last four months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Wadley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 71, Wadley, GA 30477; Gideons International, P.O Box 552 Wadley, GA 30477; or Bucky Kennedy Minis-tries, 5411 Lawson Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506.

Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.