Gurner Selected To Lead Parade
Jack Gurner, Sr.
Gurner Selected To Lead Parade
Jack Gurner Sr. has been selected as Grand Marshal of the 2015 Christmas parade. Jack, as everyone knows him, was born in Water Valley on January 31, 1927, and has been a dedicated community servant for decades. He attended school in Water Valley until he left for the Army Air Corps in 1945. He was discharged when the war ended. Prior to and after, Gurner was a member of Boy Scout Troop 14 beginning in 1940. He became a troop leader and eventually Scoutmaster and served from 1947 until 1967.
Gurner was a member of the JCs during the 1950s. This group planned and presented the Tri-Lake Fairs, an annual event from 1953 through 1959. The fairs brought thousands to Water Valley.
In the mid-1950s, he worked on the committee to develop the city park and recreational facilities on Lafayette Street. This included the skating rink and eventually the tennis courts and swimming pool.
As a young man, Jack worked for the Mississippi Highway Department and with The Tri-Lake Music Company alongside Mark Trusty. He spent most of his working life with Gulf Interstate Gas Company that later became the Columbia Gulf Gas System.
His training as an electronics technician benefited Water Valley on several projects such as the installations of sound systems in the city auditorium, city schools, several churches and the youth baseball field.
Over the years, he has assisted the city on various projects including the wiring of the emergency siren system and the airport lights.
Following his retirement from Columbia Gulf Gas System, he has involved himself in the Gurner family tradition of preserving Water Valley’s history. Gurner serves as the curator of the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum that houses many of the artifacts collected by his brother, the late Bruce Gurner. Like his brother, Garner is also a previous recipient of the Braswell Hatcher Commun-ity Service Award.
Gurner has also been an active member of the First Methodist Church and served on the board.
“For his many years of service, love and dedication to Yalobusha County, the City of Water Valley and the surrounding community, the Tri-Lake Fairground Asso-ciation is proud to honor Jack Gurner Sr. as the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Water Valley Christmas Parade “Christmas In The Valley”, said Parade Chairman J.C. Womble.
