Mr. James Howard "Skinny" Gunnels, age 87, of Vernon, AL, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Gunnels was born January 18, 1936, in Lamar County, AL, to the late Ross and Gertrude Chaffin Gunnels.  He was a mechanic and also worked in logging.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, J.W. Gunnels, Carlton "Red" Gunnels, and Joel Gunnels, and one sister, Ann Patrick.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 23, at 11:00 AM, in the chapel of Chandler Funeral Home, with Bro. Arnold Sheets, Bro. Carlos Dean, and Bro. David Sullivan officiating.  Burial will follow at Furnace Hill.  Visitation will be Friday evening, 6:00-8:00 PM.

Active pallbearers will be Steve Patrick, Phillip Crossley, Tommy Standridge, Bobby Standridge, Jim Wright, Gene Bradford.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Hudson, Roland Jackson, Ted McGee, Billy Honeycutt, Hoot Gibson, Olen Seay, James Allen, Mike Gunnels, Stan Gunnels, Cecil Patrick, and Bill Jordan.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ellen Gunnels; two sons, David (Rendy) Gunnels and Kevin (Kelly) Gunnels; two daughters, Deborah (Wayne) Christian and Janet (Randle) White; 13 grandchildren, Alex (Nicole) Christian, Matt (Summer) Christian, Chase (Courtney) Christian, Shae (Jake) Fowler, Casey White, Luke (Elle) Kelly, Lee (Harleigh) Kelly, Ella Gunnels, Ross Gunnels, Jesse Gunnels, Seth Bylsma, Chandler Bylsma, and Austin Bylsma; 16 great-grandchildren, Aleigh Brooke Christian, Addi Helms, Slate Christian, Elliott Christian, James Fowler, Cooper Christian, Ryder Christian, Jemma Fowler, Madi Christian, Ezra Kelly, Kenzie White, Renli Jo Christian, Jackson Fowler, Elijah Bylsma, Freya Bylsma, and Sage Bylsma;; one sister, Mary Lucas; and his sister-in-law, Willie Holton.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dianne Cantrell who has spent the last several years helping take care of our father. We would also like to send a special thank you to Amy, Candace, Jan, all the chaplains, and everyone at Encompass Hospice for their help during the last 15 months.  You will never know how much we appreciate all of you.