Casey Frank Gunter

Casey Gunter broke hearts all over Missoula and beyond because his heart was too full of love to be contained, and it failed him in this physical world.

Casey would have met every single one of you if he had the chance, and he sure tried. He would have called you “friend” from the first time he met you. He would have warmed you with his radiant smile and compassion. If Casey were here to write this and introduce himself, it would be an entire novel about his beautiful life and the ways that he touched every one of us. Since Casey is not here to meet every person he has not met yet, we - his family - would like to introduce you and continue to spread his love and compassion in the community he loved with all of his bottomless heart.

Casey Gunter was born in Missoula, Montana on February 18, 1958. He proudly attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Sentinel High School in Missoula. When he was younger, Casey always said he wanted to be a pastor or a police officer. He chose to be a police officer because he wanted to reach people beyond the bounds of the church. He served as a Missoula City Police Officer for 23 years. He served 14 of those years as a school resource officer, D.A.R.E officer, and founding P.R.O.S officer in the Missoula schools, touching the lives of countless students. After retiring from the MPD, Casey served as a University of Montana campus police officer caring for students with all his love and terrible dad jokes.

After his retirement from law enforcement, he pursued his love for the community to the bounds of his imagination. He wanted to find his niche, but there is no niche that could ever fit everything that is Casey. He built foundations of love and support everywhere he went. He created classes to empower kids and adults alike. We lost track of how many people he supported through the best and worst times of their lives, from baptisms, to weddings, to celebrations of life. We may have lost track, but he treasured every memory and remembered every one of you. He found his absolute passion in supporting first responders as a chaplain, EMT, and reluctant Santa. The police, firefighters, EMT’s, and tow truck operators were his family and there is nowhere else he would have rather left for heaven than in their loving care.

Casey is celebrating in heaven today with his son, Phillip; his brother, Doug; and his grandmothers, Birdie and Helen.

Those of us celebrating Casey here on Earth include his wife, Sherry Gunter, who gave him wings to pursue his dreams; his children, Mitchell, Mike, Marty, Trace, and Brianna, who were blessed with the very best dad; his parents, Bill and Shirley, who blessed us all with the most loving man many of us will ever know; his siblings, Diane and Kelly; his grandchildren, Jett and Kalvin; and nearly enough nieces and nephews to fit beneath Casey’s endless love.

There is no better way to put Casey into a few words than the way his grandson Jett remembers him, “He loves me the most.” He loves every one of us the most and his legacy of compassion will continue to unite and ignite our community.

Services will begin with a first responder parade beginning and ending at CLC in Missoula (3801 S. Russell) at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022. The parade will travel east on 39 ^th to Arthur, Broadway, Reserve, 3 ^rd , and Russell. A memorial service will take place at CLC at 2:00 p.m. with a dessert reception to follow.

In lieu of gifts, we ask that you consider making a gift to first responders and their families or give directly to someone you know who might be in need. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.