Steve Gurr

A Celebration of Life reception in remembrance of Steve Gurr will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Northeast Georgia History Center in Gainesville.

Steve died on March 20, 2020 after a brief illness.
 

The family asks that his friends join them in remembering Steve at an informal reception at the History Center, where he devoted much of his time in retirement.
 

Steve retired as dean of students at what was then Gainesville College in 1994.
 

Charles Stephen Gurr was born Jan. 25, 1942 in Ellaville, Ga., the son of Charles and Carmen Gurr.

He graduated from Peabody College and earned a PhD at the University of Georgia with a concentration in colonial Georgia history. With Kenneth Coleman he co-edited The Dictionary of Georgia Biography and was an editor of The New Georgia Guide. He later authored a biography of Steadman Vincent Stanford, “The Personal Equation.”

Steve taught history and was a faculty administrator at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus for 15 years. In 1984, he married Rebecca Gurr and moved to Gainesville. Ga. to become dean of students at what was then Gainesville College.

Steve had many interests and was an avid collector of antique automobiles and automobile memorabilia. He traveled extensively with Rebecca and in her later years was a devoted caretaker to her as she battled Parkinson’s disease until her death in 2018.

Steve had many friends, including those in his car collecting circles and in Alcoholics Anonymous. In 2019 he marked 40 years of sobriety.

He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where he previously served on the building committee, and was active in Bible study.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren whom he dearly loved: Jess, Julius, Charlie and River.

He is survived by his sons Christopher and Stephen Gurr and stepsons Frank Freeman (Kathy) and Matt Freeman, as well as his four grandchildren and several cousins.

A private burial was held in Ellaville Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.