Businessman and community leader Orville Gunther died Jan. 13 at the age of 95, pretty much as he lived -- in control.

"I've made a decision," Orville told his family last month in a conversation recounted by his son, Dale Gunther. "I'm going to be 95 and that's a good round number. After my birthday I'm going to go." Gunther's last birthday was on Jan. 1.

Gunther was president and chairman of the board of the Bank of American Fork. He started his business career in the family sheet metal business which is now known as Gunther's Comfort Air and taught history at American Fork High School. He served in the Utah State House of Representatives, was chairman of the Utah County Republican Party and chairman of the State Tax Commission.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he has served in many callings, including bishop, president of the South Germany Mission, Regional Representative and president of the Provo Temple.

His high school sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Betha Orinda Allred, preceded him in death. She died Dec. 8, 2003.

Dave Anderson, senior vice president and members of the board at the Bank of American Fork, worked around 30 years with Gunther. He said Gunther left a great legacy.

"A lot of times people get into business just to make money," he said. "His philosophy was to create an institution that was of service to the community. He truly cares about the customers and employees.

"He was a very astute businessman, but a compassionate individual as well," he added.

Former American Fork mayor B. Kay Hutchings has known Gunther for a long time.

"My first memory of him was when I was about 9 or 10 years old," Hutchings said, recalling when Gunther was piloting a small airplane. "My dad was a good friend of his. I went for my first airplane ride with him. We buzzed our house and scared a horse out in the field."

From airplanes, to the miniature train track he built in his pasture, to automobiles, Gunther loved things that moved.

Blaine Gunther recalled a time when he and his brother were in junior high school.

"Our father bought a couple of go-carts. We got some old worn out tires and used them to lay out a racetrack in the high school parking lot. He taught us how to slide through the curves and maneuver to gain the lead. The problem was, it brought the kid out in our father, so he wanted more drive time than he gave us. He always liked cars, even go-carts, I guess."

Dale Gunther said his father taught him to value hard work.

"As a boy, we had to work in the yard, wash the cars and wax them," he said. "We had to wash and wash the floors in the showroom (of Gunther's Comfort Air). They were one foot square tiles. He taught me to do them one square at a time and to overlap the squares so the job was complete. I had always remembered to make sure I was thorough and to cover the whole area. I think that has helped me in my life and work."

City Councilman Ricky Storrs has worked with Gunther several times during his years on the council.

"He was an outstanding citizen," he said. "He was the kind that if you didn't see things his way, he would listen to you and respect your opinion."

Storrs said Gunther did good deeds that he did not want made public.

"I know he has done a lot regarding scholarships for the youth in the community," he said. "He probably didn't want people to know abut the good things he did. He didn't want to take credit for it."

The Gunther Trades Building at Utah Valley State College was named after the family.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the American Fork 12th Ward, 673 E. 300 North. There will be a viewing Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 12:30-1:45 p.m.