John Fleming Hunt

Our sweet Daddy Boy was taken into the arms of Jesus Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the age of 74. John Fleming Hunt passed away in Palestine, Texas after a lengthy illness. He was born to Hettie Faye and Debs Victor Hunt, Sr. on September 8, 1933 in Rusk County. Mr. Hunt was saved and baptized at Mission Springs Baptist Church at the age of twelve and rededicated his life to Christ at Longview Baptist Temple, Christmas, 1982. He graduated with the Henderson High School class of 1953, earning a National Merit Scholarship in art for his award-winning watercolor "The Cockfight". The painting was displayed at Carnegie Hall in New York that same year. He was a successful heavy-weight boxer until 1961 when he fought then heavyweight champion Roy Harris. Over the years Mr. Hunt worked in shipyards, steel mills, and other manufacturing jobs. From the mid sixties to the mid eighties he owned and operated convenience stores, a Western Auto store and a car wash. He worked with his son Teddy in the waste industry through 1994 when he retired to Rusk County. He was a member of the Turnertown First Baptist Church . He had a quiet and loyal presence and cared deeply for his family, his friends, and his God .He reached out to everyone he knew with kindness and a helping hand. He lives thus in each of our hearts. He is survived by his wife and apple of his life, Janice Hunt of Price; siblings, Debs Hunt, Peggy Pride, and Mary Ullom, all of Henderson; children, Teresa Lynn Blount of Coppell, Jenna Elizabeth Cobbs of Sudan and East Africa, Paula Faye Van Sickle of Coppell, and Teddy Conway Hunt of Longview; sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, Barry Blount, Rev. Joel Cobbs, Douglas Van Sickle, and Lacey Hunt; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Aaron, Jonathan, Joshua, and Jacob; great grandchildren, Michelle, Alaina, Gavin and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew Tony Joe Hunt. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Rader Funeral Chapel in Henderson with Rev. James Palmer officiating. Burial will be in Hunt Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Pallbearers will be Jason Ozment, Aaron Van Sickle, Jacob Van Sickle, Jonathan Cobbs, Joshua Cobbs, and Mark Hunt. Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Liles, Johnny Enloe, Johnny Holder, James Brady, and W.A. Jones.

John Fleming Hunt

September 8, 1933 - March 23, 2008