Stephen Arthur
Gunning, 79
BATON ROUGE - Stephen Arthur Gunning died suddenly on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Baton Rouge General Hospital. Steve was born, the eldest of three children, to Francis J. (Art) and Emma Whaley Gunning on July 4, 1944, in Milford, DE; attended public school there and went on to Swarthmore College, Delaware State University, and Florida State University, earning degrees in chemistry, mathematics, and business administration.
At a high school basketball game in 1961 Steve's aunt introduced him to his cousin's girlfriend and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. Steve and Rosemary Clark were soulmates from 1961 - married in 1969 - to the moment he died while holding her hand. They shared four children and a life that took them from DE to FL, MO, and SC before settling in LA. He worked for General Foods, Ralston Purina, and Ethyl Corp. before retiring from the State of LA. He was attached to the Inspector General's Office while stationed in Korea until 1969 with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked as a research chemist, a marketer, a benchmarked, and finally as a statistician. He loved refereeing and watching soccer, reading, playing bridge, and Jeopardy - but nothing more than his Ro.
In addition to Ro, he is survived by: Stephen Andrew and Casey Schott Gunning and their son, Stephen Archer; Stewart Austin and his son Adler Noble Gunning and Sarah Ashleigh Alcorn and Jeremy Ely Alcorn and their daughter, Asher Ely Alcorn. Steve is also survived by two sisters: Deborah Gunning Dick and Frances Susan Gunning and one niece, Chessa Dick Smith, as well as two aunts and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his son Schuylar Aaron Gunning, his parents and in-laws, and many extended family members.
Steve, who successfully battled cancer, heart disease, and strokes for more than two decades chose to donate his body to medical research. He also insisted upon no funeral or formal wake but suggested you remember him by doing something nice for a person in need or by making a donation to a local animal rescue in honor of Ms Bailey Blu and Mr. Solo, who survive him.