St. Petersburg Independent St. Petersburg, Florida  Saturday, March 5, 1966  Page 11-A

 

James V. (Bear) Gunnin

 

Former Viking Football Coach

 

     James V. (Bear) Gunnin, former assistant football coach at Northeast High School, was prononuced dead on arrival at 11:45 last night by attending physicians at St. Anthony's Hospital.

 

     While the cause of death was not immediately known, the former University of Alabama tackle had suffered a "moderate" heart attack in 1962.

 

     A line coach since his arrival at Northeast, Mr. Gunnin taught American history and reportedly was "feeling fine" when he left school Friday afternoon.

 

     "Gunnin's loss was a severe blow to Northeast," said Principal Tom Rothchild this morning.  "He is one of the finest American history instructors in the area ... a truly exceptional teacher."

 

     The 44-year old coach was hired by former Viking Head Coach Loran Ward in 1959.  When Ward was fired following the 1964 season, Mr. Gunnin was retained under the one-year coaching reign of Carl Adams.  He resigned his football position after Kim Alsop was named head coach a year ago, but retained his teaching job.

 

     Prior to coming to St. Petersburg in 1959, Mr. Gunnin had coached at Palmetto High School in Palmetto.

 

     He also was athletic director at Brookwood (Ala.) High School for five years before returning to the University of Alabama for his master's degree.  He then spent four years as athletic director at Boaz (Ala). High School.

 

     During World War II, Mr. Gunnin was a corporal in the Marines and was in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

 

     He is survived by his wife and several children.  The family resides at 200 74th Ave. N.