W. Donald “Don” Hunt, 78, of Orem, Utah, a retired longtime Baker City teacher, died Oct. 24, 2002, at Orem.
His funeral was at noon today at the Orem Park 4th Ward Chapel. Interment was in the Veterans Memorial Park at Bluffdale, Utah.
Don was born on Sept. 12, 1924, at Ora (Ashton), Idaho, to Purcell Byron and Stella Cora Hill Hunt. He graduated from Carey High School. He received two master’s degrees from the University of Idaho at Moscow where he met Billie Evelyn Gooing.
They were married on June 27, 1948, and later sealed in the Idaho Falls Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple.
Don was a faithful member of the LDS Church. At the time of his death he was serving as the High Priest group leader of the Orem Park 4th Ward. His family described him as a kind and thoughtful man who will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Don served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II and saw action in the Pacific Theater. His Martin Mariner PBM bomber squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross; Air, Campaign and Victory medals; and the Aircrew Insignia.
He excelled in academics and sports and was a standout baseball pitcher for the University of Idaho. During that time he attended a tryout with the New York Yankees and signed a contract with the team. However, an unfortunate injury to his wrist ended his baseball career.
His interest in sports continued throughout his life as a high school basketball and track coach and especially as an avid Brigham Young University sports fan.
For 36 years, Don worked as a devoted Baker School District teacher. He spent the majority of those years teaching biology and natural science. During the summers, Don worked various jobs that nurtured his love of the outdoors.
He managed the campground at Redfish Lake, Idaho, for 10 years and spent one summer as a movie extra during the filming of “Paint Your Wagon.” He enjoyed a wide variety of activities including golf, gardening, entertaining his grandchildren, traveling and taxidermy.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Beatrice Hunt Mecham.
Survivors include his wife, Billie; brothers, Ronda Hunt of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Keith Hunt and his wife, Mary, of Carey, Idaho; a sister, Mildred Barton and her husband, Boyd, of Carey, Idaho; four children and their spouses, Larry and Claudia Hunt, David and Heather Hunt, Jennifer and Doryn Johnson and Tony and Cindy Hunt; 22 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, November 1, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor