The medical profession of Ochelata finds a prominent representative in Dr. J. T. Gunter, who devotes the greater part of his attention to surgical work, in which he has developed that expert skill which is the result of broad experience and innate ability. He was born at Lagrange, Mississippi, January 1, 1876, his parents being George Washington and Mary Catherine Gunter, the former a native of Pickett County, Tennessee, while the latter was born in Carrollton, Mississippi. The father engaged in merchandising. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gunter are deceased.
In the acquirement of an education J. T. Gunter attended Millsaps College at Jackson, Mississippi, and Grant University of Tennessee, which latter institution conferred upon him the M. D. degree on the 15th of April, 1903. He at once entered upon the work of his profession, which he followed for five years at Murphy, Mississippi, going from there to Catchings, that state, where he remained for three years. On the 20th of December, 1911, he came to Oklahoma, locating at Ochelata, where he has since engaged in practice, except during the period of his service in the World war, which covered two years. He was post surgeon at La Teste, France, on the Bay of Biscay, where he was stationed for four months, and while there he administered to the civilian population each day free of charge, after his government duties were finished, thereby earning the gratitude of the French people, who called him “Daddy Doctor.”
Following the signing of the armistice he became army surgeon of the Second Aero Provisional Regiment, occupying that post-until March 7, 1919, after which he took a postgraduate course at the University of Toulouse, France.
On the 1st of July he received orders to report for duty at Evacuation Hospital, No. 33, at Brest and remained there until the 5th of August, 1919, when he was ordered to convey Convalescent Detachment, No. 388, to the United States. He immediately embarked, arriving at Hoboken, New Jersey, on the 12th of August, and after delivering the detachment he was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, where he obtained leave of absence. He was discharged from the service at Camp Pike, Arkansas, on the 21st of August, 1919, and at once returned to Ochelata, where he resumed his practice.
He is now confining his attention largely to surgical work, for which he is well qualified, owing to his experience on the field of battle, and his professional labors have been attended by a gratifying measure of success. He has never lost the attitude of a student toward his profession and through constant reading and close study of the cases that come under his care he is constantly broadening his knowledge and skill, his practice being a large and growing one.
On the 20th of December, 1906, Dr. Gunter was united in marriage to Miss Leona King of Mississippi, and they have become the parents of three children: Joseph M. and Thomas L., twins, aged thirteen; and Mary Jewel, who is eleven years of age.
Fraternally Dr. Gunter is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of high purposes and ideals, whose inherent talent and acquired ability have brought him to the front in his profession and he enjoys the respect of his colleagues and also of the general public.