HUNTER, Jack Allen - b. July 18, 1919 - d. July 24, 2015

[patyrn]

Jack Allen Hunter, 96, of Belle Vista, Arkansas, died July 24, 2015 at Concordia Care Center in Bella Vista.  He was born July 18, 1919 to John Blair and Ida M. (Hennigh) Hunter at Denton in Doniphan County, Kansas.

The son of a dairy farmer, Jack moved with his family that included six siblings to Howard, Kansas in 1930 where he graduated from Howard High School in 1936.  He met Lulu Inez Tillman, originally of Topeka, Kansas, in Howard, and they were married in Manhattan, Kansas on February 16, 1941.

In April 1942, Jack enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps rising to become a crew chief assigned to the 1034th Air Material Squadron transporting gliders throughout North America and the Pacific Theater while stationed in the Philippine Islands.  He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant, having earned the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Following military service, Jack and his wife and young family returned to Howard, working on the family farm and selling oil for Central Petroleum Company.  It was there he began a career as a Farm Bureau Insurance agent, taking a leave in 1953 to be in charge of the breeding program at a world renowned registered Angus cattle farm in Madison, Kansas.  In 1958 he returned to Farm Bureau Insurance, first in Sedan, Kansas followed by a 22-year stint as Dickinson County Agency Manager in Abilene, Kansas. 

Jack and Lulu retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1981 where they joined several family members in retirement.  In Bella Vista, they joined the First United Methodist Church where they were active participants for 30 years.  He was also a member of the American Legion, active in Meals on Wheels, and was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He enjoyed gardening and giving away the fruits of his plentiful harvest.

Jack is survived by his son, Don Hunter of Kansas City, Missouri; his daughter, Sandy Bates and husband, Paul of Bella Vista, Arkansas; granddaughter, Ricki Hansen of Elgin, Illinois; grandson, Kenneth W. Bates and wife, Kimberly of San Diego, California; two great-granddaughters, Leilani Larsen and Regyn Hansen; and 13 nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by Lula, his wife of nearly 71 years; his parents; and five siblings.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 8, 2015 at the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Boulevard, Bella Vista, Arkansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to KU Endowment marked for The Agency, William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications.  Gifts may be sent care of KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.  Online condolences may be made to www.funeralmation.com.

(taken from the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory website)