James Hunt's Obituary
James Benjamin (Jimmie) Hunt of Hallsville died peacefully on Sunday April 12 after several months of illness. Jimmie was born in Hallsville and lived there for most of his life. His parents were Shirley Lee Hunt and Georgia Alma Whatley Hunt.
Most of Jimmie’s career was spent in the Hallsville School System, where he served as teacher, principal, and administrator, from 1958 until retirement. He is survived by Betsy Horner Hunt, his wife of almost 60 years, their two children Jason Hunt (Kristi) of Hallsville and Ashley Smith (Chris) of Whitehouse, and 5 grandchildren, Jack and Lauren Hunt and Blake, Devyn, and Emmie Smith. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Bobby) of Hallsville and sister Norma Hunt Small of Lubbock and many nieces and nephews. Four siblings predeceased him: Howard Hunt, Joe Hunt, Shirley Hunt Green, and Karen Hunt Irwin.
Jimmie received his undergraduate degree in agriculture from Texas Tech, and served in the Army Reserve for 5 years starting in 1957. He attended East Texas State University in Commerce, receiving a Masters Degree in Education.
Jimmie was very active in the Hallsville community and was a member of the Lions Club, the H Association, and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1975. He was also on the Board of the Farm Bureau, and served as President of the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, 1976-77. He was honored as one of the Distinguished Alumni of Hallsville High School and received numerous other awards. He was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, and attended church regularly with his family. He was perhaps best known for his enthusiastic support of Hallsville’s sports programs. He attended every Bobcats football game, home and away, for a period of 67 years, as well as most of the home games for all other sports.
Jimmie was a very warm and welcoming person whose kindness and regard for all the people he met will be greatly missed and fondly remembered in the community. A funeral service will be held at the First Methodist Church in Hallsville on Saturday, April 25th with a visitation starting at 3:00pm followed by the service at 4:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the H Association (℅ Deke Dillard, 507 N Central, Hallsville TX 75650) or the Hallsville Education Foundation (PO Box 810, Hallsville TX 75650).
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