John William Hunt, 76, of Howard, Ohio and Zephyrhills, Florida passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Advent Health Hospital in Zephyrhills. He was born May 3, 1947 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio to the late William Jackson and Mary Agnes (Blubaugh) Hunt.
John graduated from East Knox High School in 1965, where he loved playing football under the direction of the late coach Ron Godfrey, especially with his teammates on the 1964 Buckeye Conference co-championship team. He was proud to have been awarded the team’s only all state offensive guard honor. He remained friends with many of his teammates and never missed an opportunity to reminisce about their team’s accomplishments.
John honorably served his country in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired from Knox County Water and Wastewater Department after 35 years. He held the positions of lab technician, plant operator, and superintendent. John was a member of the St. Luke Catholic Parish, Moose Lodge, Knox Handgunners, and the Buckskin Bow Hunters Club.
He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He spent much of his time with his family and friends, finding great joy in joking and laughing with them. He also enjoyed bow hunting, building recurve bows, fishing, golfing, reading, and sitting by the fire-pit with an occasional cigar, listening to the latest country music. He looked forward to spending the winters in Florida as he did the past 12 years and cherished friendships with “The New Inn Lane Gang” at Settler’s Rest R.V. Resort in Zephyrhills.
John, the most loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and brother-in-law imaginable, is survived by high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Candice (Hardesty); devoted son, Joshua Hunt (Tara) St. Petersburg, FL; brother, Charles Hunt (Sharon) Bladensburg, OH; sister, Patricia (Hunt) Dudevszky (Miki) Mt. Vernon, OH; brothers in-law, Dale “Dude” Hardesty, Bladensburg, OH; Mark (Peggy) Hardesty, Gambier, OH; sisters in-law, Gretchen (Brent) Woolison, Gambier, OH; Sue Ann (Andy) Gonis, Laguna Beach CA; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; and great nieces and nephews who he fondly referred to as “The Greats.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, the late William Jackson and Mary Agnes (Blubaugh) Hunt Baker; sister Sarah “Sally” (Hunt) Thompson; step-father Doyal (Lindy) Baker; step-sister Connie Baker Biggs; and step-brother, Tom Baker.
A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be announced later.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the following:
· Whitetail Heritage of Ohio- sponsors of an annual deer hunt in Ohio for first time youth hunters and hunters with disabilities. https://whitetailheritageofOhio.net/donate
· St. Luke Catholic Parish P.O. Box P Danville, OH 43014
· East Knox Athletic Boosters P.O. Box 15 Howard, Ohio 43028
The Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel is honored to serve the family of John William Hunt.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com