Ross D. Hunt, 81, of Baker City, a former Baker County sheriff, died Jan. 17, 2005, at his home.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St.
Visitations will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory will conduct the cremation after the funeral.
Ross was born on Aug. 15, 1923, at Richland, Wash., to Harry and Florence Cline Hunt. As a young boy his family moved to Grandview, Idaho, where Ross attended school. He was a graduate of Grandview High School.
Ross excelled in high school sports and was offered a full-ride scholarship to Boise State University in both football and boxing. However, having had his fill of school, he declined the offers.
While in high school, Ross met and dated Violet Geddes who turned out to be the love of his life. The two were married on June 15, 1942, at Mountain Home, Idaho, after her high school graduation. They remained happily married until her death in February of 2003. The couple lived their entire lives in the Northwest, residing in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Ross wore many hats throughout the course of his life, working as a cowboy, journeyman blacksmith, building contractor, millwright, truck driver, logger, mechanic, sheriff and deputy sheriff, deputy assistant coroner, and even as a mortuary assistant.
He had a tendency to rise to a leadership role in every venture he pursued and he knew the importance of getting a job done. Being a man of more action and less words, Ross would often survey the task at hand and say, “Well, let’s get ‘er done!” He was always willing to do jobs that others refused to do.
Ross was also a great teacher. He was willing to teach anybody who was interested in anything he had knowledge about. He taught as a Boy Scout leader, law enforcement officer, first aid/CPR instructor and taught search and rescue courses.
He was also a good mechanic and would not just fix vehicles, but would teach friends and family how to do it at the same time.
As a young man, Ross could always be found hunting or fishing or doing any kind of cowboy work. Hunting and fishing remained some of his favorite hobbies throughout his life. He also enjoyed gardening and became a master gardener.
He was always entertaining as well, telling stories and jokes; he usually kept a smile on the faces of the people around him. Ross enjoyed spending time with his family and most of all with his wife, Violet, whom he loved with all his heart. They were truly soul mates.
Ross was involved in the Baker County Sheriff’s office until 1982, when he retired as sheriff. His accomplishments in law enforcement as well as his involvement and work with the Masonic Lodge in McEwen were among his most prized and favored memories.
Family first, then friends, kept Ross’ life meaningful. He loved people and he loved helping people. There was nobody more important to him than his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Survivors include four sons, Dan Hunt of Klamath Falls, Bob Hunt of Baker City, Russel Hunt and wife, Anita, of Summerville, and Eugene Hunt and wife, Rhea, of Federal Way, Wash.; three granddaughters, Cheryl Porter, and her husband, Robby, of Baker City, Paula Wigger and husband, Cade, of Meridian, Idaho, and Alyson Hunt of Federal Way, Wash.; two grandsons, Daniel Hunt of Ontario and Curran Hunt of Federal Way, Wash.; two stepgrandsons, Lane and Ross Kemp of Summerville; three brothers, Dan, David and Paul; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet; two sisters, Alice and Helen; four brothers, Lloyd, Gene, Glen, and Deemer; and by his parents, Harry and Florence.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice or the Shriners Hospital for Children through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 21, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor