The American Dream

Faith, Hard Work and Philanthropy Go Hand in Hand for the Gunter Family

Two friends working at McLeod Hospital decided to do some matchmaking for their high school age siblings. The success of their plan led to a family dedicated to helping others.

Jane and Ken Gunter, the siblings of those two friends, decided to get married. She had completed two years at USC-Florence and was finishing her degree at USC-Columbia. Their union established a family focused on faith, hard work and giving back. Three sons, Kent, Kyle and Kacy were born at McLeod Health.

After serving his country in the Navy, Ken earned a Civil Engineering degree from Florence-Darlington Technical College and worked with W.C. Logan & Associates Construction Company for 12 years. Two years after the company was sold to an out of state construction company, he left the company with plans to go out on his own.

“I had prayed every night for those two years that God would open the door for my next endeavor,” explains Ken. 

Stepping out on faith, he acquired Florence Builders from John Frank, a former co-worker and friend at W.C. Logan and the rest is history. All three sons graduated from the Citadel, worked on their own for a short period, and ultimately returned to work with the family business. As the work spread to other areas of the state, the company changed their name to FBi Construction.

The Gunters have called Mechanicsville of Darlington County their home for 58 years and worship at Mechanicsville Baptist Church with Pastor Stanley Goodwin.  Their former pastor of 25 years, Frankie Tanner, introduced their family to hospice care. Frankie was instrumental in the early years of McLeod Hospice with his wife, Jessie, who continues to serve as Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator.  

It is the family’s special relationship with Jessie’s work that guides their generous support for McLeod Hospice. They have specifically honored her service by sponsoring a tree for the annual A Light for Someone You Love Tree Lighting for 28 years. 

“Our family received exceptional care by angels like Jessie at McLeod Hospice and we understand the value the program brings to our community,” shares Jane.

“Faith is something we have always instilled in our children. We taught them to save, save, save so they can give, give, give,” states Ken. “It was only natural for us to establish a McLeod Hospice Tree Lighting Endowment to continue our support for McLeod Hospice in perpetuity.”

The Gunter family calling is to leave this place better than they found it. They want to share their blessings and McLeod Hospice is one of the places close to their heart.

“McLeod Hospice is like no other. Families of every creed, every walk of life, financially secure or insecure…every family is treated the same.  Every patient is given the full range of compassionate services. That speaks for itself,” adds Ken.