Ted Hunter
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Obituary
Ted Hunter
92, was born in Lone Elm, Arkansas, on June 29, 1920. He passed from this life on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at his home near Strickler, Arkansas.
His wife, Melba, passed on July 10, 2010. They were married for 68 wonderful years. He is survived by his four children, Gina, Becky, Roger, Susan, and a whole passel of grand and great-grandchildren.
He grew up in a time of great change. When he was born, aviation was just 17 years old, World War One had ended only two years prior, the fields were still plowed with the use of a horse or mule, and you went to town in a horse drawn wagon. Many Civil War veterans were still alive when he was young. He lived on a farm and hand picked cotton as a youngster. School was held in one room and covered all the grades. He had 4 siblings consisting of 3 sisters and one younger brother. His first car was a Ford Model T. Living through the Great Depression and the dust bowl made him part of the “Greatest Generation”. He was 22 years old when he married and volunteered for the Army. When Ted was 25 years of age, the first atomic bomb was detonated. At age 36, he was baptized into Christ. He and Melba bought their first television when he was around 32. At 49, he watched man walk on the moon for the first time. During his life, gas prices went from $.15 per gallon to around $4.00 per gallon. His life spanned telephones on the wall with cranks to the i-Phone and the computer.
The world changed forever in December 1941. The young men of this country joined in the effort to defeat an enemy that wanted to enslave this world. It was men like Ted who gave at least four years of their life, and sometimes their life, to the service of the United States. He joined the Army Air Corps (later to become the Air Force) where he became a crew chief in the Fifth Air Force, 312 Bomb Group, working on A-20 medium bombers. He was stationed in the Philippine islands the whole time he was overseas and served with distinction. In 1945, he went home and was discharged.
Prior to leaving for the Philippines, Ted took a detour to Okemah, Oklahoma to marry his sweetheart, Melba Speir on October 7, 1942. They honeymooned at the local drug store, where they celebrated with a cold soda, and then it was off to the war.
After he returned from the war, he and Melba raised their family in Bakersfield, California from 1946 until he retired from Western Electric in June of 1979. At that time, they moved to Hogeye, Arkansas, where they built a new home on 56 beautiful acres. They raised cattle, catfish, large quantities of dogs, and helped raise their grandchildren. They made their home a gathering place for Sunday afternoon lunches, family reunions, and a wonderful place to visit.
You could never have asked for a better father. He was a man who was, you might say, rather stoic, but was not afraid to give you a hug. He raised his four children in a balanced way. Both he and Melba made a home that was comfortable and safe. Family was something that was of the utmost importance to the both of them. Ted was never one to take too many “just guy trips”. He always wanted the family to be together. They welcomed people into their home often. Much laughter was heard around the dinner table and in the home. Every summer they took the long trip down Hwy. 66 (stopping at many of the Indian trading posts, but primarily “Jack Rabbit”) to Okemah and Wetumka, Oklahoma to see the Grandparents. There were another 2-3 trips to Yellowstone National Park over the years, and they never missed going to Yosemite Bible Camp. Ted served as camp director 2-3 times over the years.
Ted was a kind man who was always willing to help those in need. He exemplified the Golden Rule by the way he lived and acted. He was always willing to take the time to talk to you and answer any questions that may have come up in your life. Even though you might disagree with him, he always gave a rock solid answer.
“Pato”, as he had been named by his first grandchild, had a God given talent to seemingly be able to fix anything, anywhere, with whatever he had at hand. He was, on more than a few occasions, called by his various offspring, for directions on how to wire an outlet, adjust a carburetor, find out the best time to plant strawberries, or to answer a Bible question.
He was a wonderful, godly man who greatly loved and trusted the Lord. He had a deep, unshakeable belief and trust in God that he strived to give his children. His word was his bond, and when he told you that he would do something, it was good as done. He served as an Elder at the East Bakersfield Church of Christ for a number of years and taught Sunday school classes as well. He was an excellent teacher who tried to look at the subjects from a different direction. He stood for what was right and would swim against popular sentiment when required. Ted was a real straight shooter when he spoke to you, you knew what he thought about things, but, it was never with a malicious tone.
He will be greatly missed here, but He was ready to go meet the two true loves of his life, his God, his loving wife, Melba, and also to see those in his past who are already there. It was a joyous reunion with them and a truly divine instant when he got to meet Jesus and God in person for the first time.
Thank you, Dad. We love you
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 24, 2012 - 12:00 P.M. at the National Cemetery Pavilion. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com
92, was born in Lone Elm, Arkansas, on June 29, 1920. He passed from this life on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at his home near Strickler, Arkansas.
His wife, Melba, passed on July 10, 2010. They were married for 68 wonderful years. He is survived by his four children, Gina, Becky, Roger, Susan, and a whole passel of grand and great-grandchildren.
He grew up in a time of great change. When he was born, aviation was just 17 years old, World War One had ended only two years prior, the fields were still plowed with the use of a horse or mule, and you went to town in a horse drawn wagon. Many Civil War veterans were still alive when he was young. He lived on a farm and hand picked cotton as a youngster. School was held in one room and covered all the grades. He had 4 siblings consisting of 3 sisters and one younger brother. His first car was a Ford Model T. Living through the Great Depression and the dust bowl made him part of the “Greatest Generation”. He was 22 years old when he married and volunteered for the Army. When Ted was 25 years of age, the first atomic bomb was detonated. At age 36, he was baptized into Christ. He and Melba bought their first television when he was around 32. At 49, he watched man walk on the moon for the first time. During his life, gas prices went from $.15 per gallon to around $4.00 per gallon. His life spanned telephones on the wall with cranks to the i-Phone and the computer.
The world changed forever in December 1941. The young men of this country joined in the effort to defeat an enemy that wanted to enslave this world. It was men like Ted who gave at least four years of their life, and sometimes their life, to the service of the United States. He joined the Army Air Corps (later to become the Air Force) where he became a crew chief in the Fifth Air Force, 312 Bomb Group, working on A-20 medium bombers. He was stationed in the Philippine islands the whole time he was overseas and served with distinction. In 1945, he went home and was discharged.
Prior to leaving for the Philippines, Ted took a detour to Okemah, Oklahoma to marry his sweetheart, Melba Speir on October 7, 1942. They honeymooned at the local drug store, where they celebrated with a cold soda, and then it was off to the war.
After he returned from the war, he and Melba raised their family in Bakersfield, California from 1946 until he retired from Western Electric in June of 1979. At that time, they moved to Hogeye, Arkansas, where they built a new home on 56 beautiful acres. They raised cattle, catfish, large quantities of dogs, and helped raise their grandchildren. They made their home a gathering place for Sunday afternoon lunches, family reunions, and a wonderful place to visit.
You could never have asked for a better father. He was a man who was, you might say, rather stoic, but was not afraid to give you a hug. He raised his four children in a balanced way. Both he and Melba made a home that was comfortable and safe. Family was something that was of the utmost importance to the both of them. Ted was never one to take too many “just guy trips”. He always wanted the family to be together. They welcomed people into their home often. Much laughter was heard around the dinner table and in the home. Every summer they took the long trip down Hwy. 66 (stopping at many of the Indian trading posts, but primarily “Jack Rabbit”) to Okemah and Wetumka, Oklahoma to see the Grandparents. There were another 2-3 trips to Yellowstone National Park over the years, and they never missed going to Yosemite Bible Camp. Ted served as camp director 2-3 times over the years.
Ted was a kind man who was always willing to help those in need. He exemplified the Golden Rule by the way he lived and acted. He was always willing to take the time to talk to you and answer any questions that may have come up in your life. Even though you might disagree with him, he always gave a rock solid answer.
“Pato”, as he had been named by his first grandchild, had a God given talent to seemingly be able to fix anything, anywhere, with whatever he had at hand. He was, on more than a few occasions, called by his various offspring, for directions on how to wire an outlet, adjust a carburetor, find out the best time to plant strawberries, or to answer a Bible question.
He was a wonderful, godly man who greatly loved and trusted the Lord. He had a deep, unshakeable belief and trust in God that he strived to give his children. His word was his bond, and when he told you that he would do something, it was good as done. He served as an Elder at the East Bakersfield Church of Christ for a number of years and taught Sunday school classes as well. He was an excellent teacher who tried to look at the subjects from a different direction. He stood for what was right and would swim against popular sentiment when required. Ted was a real straight shooter when he spoke to you, you knew what he thought about things, but, it was never with a malicious tone.
He will be greatly missed here, but He was ready to go meet the two true loves of his life, his God, his loving wife, Melba, and also to see those in his past who are already there. It was a joyous reunion with them and a truly divine instant when he got to meet Jesus and God in person for the first time.
Thank you, Dad. We love you
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 24, 2012 - 12:00 P.M. at the National Cemetery Pavilion. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com
Funeral Service
12:00 pm
National Cemetery Pavilion in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
General
Jun 29, 1920
Aug 23, 2012
92
Documents
Funeral Service
12:00 pm
National Cemetery Pavilion in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Visitation
Visitation information unavailable.
Final Resting Place
General
Jun 29, 1920
Aug 23, 2012
92
Documents