E. Neal Gruetter

Entered into rest August 3, 2014, Ernest Neal Gruetter, loving and beloved husband of 44 years to Kathryn Franklin Gruetter.
Funeral services will be held at Campus View Church of Christ, 1360 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA, on Thursday at 11:00 am.
A life long math educator, he graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and earned his Masters and Specialist degrees in Math Education from the University of Georgia. He taught math and coached football in Fort Pierce, FL, and Albuquerque, NM, before coming to Athens for his graduate degrees. His teaching career in the Athens area spanned more than 30 years and included football, track, wrestling and soccer coaching at times. He taught at Athens Academy, Oglethorpe County, Athens Technical College,
Truett-McConnell College, Piedmont College, but Cedar Shoals High School was his long term home. In 1976, he was named Star Teacher at Oglethorpe County. A i�rm yet fair and, as all of his students will attest, very genuine and forthright person, he engendered lifelong loyalty from them. Ironically, not known as a patient, even-tempered person, he was patient and attentive to his studentsE� learning needs. He was the consummate mentor. Wherever he went in the Athens area, he inevitably ran into former students or former students who were children of former students.
NealE�s passions were never lukewarm. He was devoted to his wife, Bulldogs football, his church, the environment, physical i�tness, his friends, not necessarily in that order.
Additional survivors include a brother, Dan Gruetter and his wife Cathy, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Gottfried Ernest and Dorothy Nealy Gruetter of Asheville, NC.
The family would like to extend thanks to the generous outpouring of comfort from friends all over.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening 7-9pm at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, 4355 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA.
If so desired, donations may be made in NealE�s name to Food Bank of NE Georgia, P.O. Box 48857, Athens, GA 30604 (www.foodbanknega.org), or Halcyon Hospice Foundation, 1435 Haw Creek Circle, Suite 402, Cumming, GA 30041 (678-328-1700).