Cloudy, 58° F
(Feb. 13, 1933 - Sept.18, 2013)
John M. Hunter III, 80, died Sept. 18, 2013, at the New Horizons Care Center in Lovell.
John was born in Lincoln, Neb., on Feb. 13, 1933, to John and Cleo Hunter. John was raised in Cheyenne and graduated from Cheyenne Central High School in 1951.
He attended Casper Jr. College on a basketball scholarship before joining the Navy. After his honorable discharge he played basketball at Valley City State Teachers College in Valley City, N.D., where he met Allegra “Click” Junkert.
They were married in 1955 and moved to Laramie, where John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in teaching. He taught for two years in Green River before Lyle Whiting, an administrator of School District No. 6, approached John with an offer he couldn’t refuse. In his 32 years at Cody he taught history, shop, civics, economics and retired after teaching geography for many years.
John’s education continued when he was asked to participate in the writing of a cartography book at the University of Indiana in the summer of 1966. Two years later he received a master’s in geography from Western Oregon College of Education.
John wore many hats: loving husband, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, teacher, coach, referee, Forest Service employee, chili cook-off winner, member of the Cody City Council and friend, to name a few. He lived life to the fullest, accomplished much and touched many lives in his 80 years.
He is survived by his wife; daughter Shelly (Scott) Moore; sons Tim (Belen) and Shaun; grandchildren Justin (Dawn) Moore, Stephanie (Sid) Shugart and Chutney Hunter; great-grandchildren Hayden and Madisyn Moore and Jackson and Anna Shugart; nephews, nieces, cousins and his faithful companion Willie.
John was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley Francis and daughter Lisa Lynn.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Cody United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Cody High School Blue and Gold Boosters Club in memory of his many years of coaching or to a charity of your choice.
