Gunnar Durham Obituary

Gunnar Ryan Durham, 52, was born July 30, 1971, and went to be with the Lord Monday, March 4, 2024, after a brief illness.

Gunnar graduated from Dobyns Bennett HS in 1989. He received a Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences in Physical Education with a minor in athletic training in May 1994, from Appalachian State University. He also obtained a Master's of Education from East Tennessee State University in July 1996.

Gunnar spent his early career as head athletic trainer at Lee College before becoming a general contractor and starting his own new home construction business, Durham Designs.

Gunnar loved college sports, especially Appalachian State and UT football. He most enjoyed coaching and watching his children participate in sports. He loved to watch Charlie play golf and Paytie play basketball.

Gunnar never changed and always greeted you with a huge smile on his face. He was very outgoing and charismatic, sometimes walking right onto athletic fields like he belonged there so his children could meet the athletes.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eddie Durham; his grandmothers, Willie Anderson and Blannie Lazenby; and grandfather, Charlie Anderson.

Left to cherish Gunnar's memory are his pride and joy, his children, Sarah Payton Durham and Charlie Durham of Ooltewah,TN; his mother, Linda Durham and his second mother, Judy Miller of Kingsport; his sisters, Courtney Conkin and husband, Chris of Kingsport, and Whitney Gilliam and husband, Terry of Simpsonville, SC; his brothers, Graham Clark, and Bobby Hill; aunts, Judy Fleenor, and Sue Morgan; cousins, Jennifer Bogni, and Robbie Morgan; nieces and nephews, Maddie Conkin, Alex Conkin, Kaitlin Gilliam, and Kierstin Gilliam; special friends, Blake and Shelley Hunley, and Jason and Shannon Hyatt.

The family will receive friends Thursday March 7, 2024, from 4:00-5:45 p.m. in the Oak Hill Funeral Home chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 6:00 p.m. with Reverend Bobby Hill officiating, and eulogy by Coach Graham Clark.

The family wants this to be a celebration and asks that you dress casually in your App State Black and Gold, UT orange, ETSU blue and gold, DB maroon and grey or your favorite athletic wear. If you knew Gunnar, you understand this!

Graveside Service will be conducted Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Garden of the Apostles at East Lawn Memorial Park. Those serving as pallbearers, Bill Miller, Bo Ford, Paul Haun, David Williams, Blake Hunley, Damon Hunley, Jason Hyatt, Mark Droke, and Vitaly Drevenchuk. Those attending are requested to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.

To share memories and condolences with the family please visit www.oakhillfh.com

he care of Gunnar Ryan Durham and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.