Tracy Gunter Left Legacy Of Leadership

Tracy C. Gunter, Jr., long respected for his leadership in the logging industry, and owner of Tracy’s Logging, Leesville, SC, died March 23. He was 84.

In October 1997, in the 25th anniversary issue of Southern Loggin’ Times, Gunter was named as one of “25 Men Who’ve Made A Difference” in the logging industry during the previous 25 years.

South Carolina Forestry Assn. named Gunter its Outstanding Logger of the Year in 1994 and American Pulpwood Assn. selected him as its National Logger of the Year in 1996.

“We take a lot of pride in our work,” Gunter once said of his multiple-crews operation. “When people see Tracy’s Logging is on the job, we want it to be a first class job.”

Gunter was following voluntary BMPs long before they became regulated. He made sure employees respected the landowner’s property and he maintained a whistle-clean worksite.

“I’d like to think I practice what I preach,” Gunter said. “My word is my bond, so whatever I tell people I’ll do, I try to do it even if it hurts or costs me money.”

Gunter was a role model and father figure to many of his employees, who were like family.

Gunter served on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Forestry Assn., as well as on its Logging Advisory Committee, Timber Harvesting Task Force, Logger Accreditation Subgroup on Insurance/Safety, and TOP Task Force.

Gunter grew up in the woods helping his father operate a portable sawmill, and then got into logging on the wings of an older brother, Robert.

Gunter was married to his late wife, Wynette Gunter, for 62 years. He was also a loving father, a doting grandfather and a devoted Christian. He and his wife were members of Steadman Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks football and baseball teams. An athlete himself, Gunter was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as a catcher in 1959.

Gunter is survived by his children, Lisa Gunter Price, Jennifer Gunter Scruggs (Joey), and Tracy Capers Gunter, III (Gariane); as well several grandchildren and a great grandson.

Gunter’s funeral service was March 29 at the Steadman Baptist Church and he was buried in the church cemetery.