Jack L. Grunder

On January 10, 2022, Jack L. Grunder passed away at age 87. The meaning of a life well lived can be gauged by the time one spends engaged in their passions. In addition to playing golf and cards with his friends, traveling and partying with members of the Rogues Investment Group, and watching every cowboy movie ever produced, Jack’s biggest passion was sharing a love of antiques with Candy, his wife of 25 years. For the past 20 years, they hosted estate sales and owned Red Door Antiques in Copley and the Gristmill Antiques in Beach City, Ohio. Jack and Candy loved auctions and spent many afternoons finding just the right pieces for their store and for family members. Jack loved the hunt and his smile grew large when he secured a great deal with the winning bid. Jack spent most of his time tending the store, chatting up customers and imparting fatherly wisdom to his right-hand man, BJ Brothers.

In his earlier years, Jack was passionate about hunting and enjoyed many trips with friends to his hunting cabin. He also enjoyed traveling with his son, Rob, and spending time on the slopes. Jack grew up with his 12 brothers and sisters in Carrollton, Ohio on a farm. After serving his country in the Korean War, Jack graduated from Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) and served the state as a district manager of Ohio Department of Taxation, Cleveland District.

Jack is preceded in death by his son, Robert. He is survived by his sister, Norma Kugler, his wife, Candy Gatewood, his stepchildren, Lisa and Brian Riegel, and Amy and Ian Blackwell, and his grandchildren, Paige and Luke Riegel and Jack, Thomas and Caroline Gordon.

Jack’s family is grateful to the staff at Arden Court who lovingly cared for Jack in his final year.

Friends can honor Jack’s memory by making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association and joining us for a celebration of his life on January 31, 2022 from 2pm to 5pm at Continental Cuisine, located at 55 Ghent Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH  44333.