John Hunter, 78

John Joseph Hunter, age 78, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.  John was born in Bad Axe, Michigan on July 3, 1946, to William Carol and Nora Irene (“Bunny”) Hunter. John had a small-town American childhood in Gagetown, a village of 350 residents where his parents owned and ran the Hunter Funeral Home. He attended St. Agatha’s grade school and graduated from Cass City High School in 1964 where he ran track and played football. John graduated from Ferris State College in 1969 where he studied business administration and served as president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. There at college he “snatched up” Janell Davenport, whom he married on January 30, 1971. They were married 53 years.

John’s small-town beginnings were a foundation for a life of great responsibility with Janell at his side. For 28 years, John worked for the Woolworth Corporation, eventually out of San Francisco as Vice President of the company’s Mississippi West region including Alaska and Hawaii. Later he served for fifteen years as District Manager for Family Dollar in St. Louis with a different kind of achievement: transforming a worst-performing district in one of the hardest areas of the country into a best performing district. Anyone who worked with John would recognize his management style in his simple approach: firm, fair, and friendly. But, as he said, the key is to keep the friendly part optional. His mastery of numbers and statistics made him a cutting-edge executive. His commitment to other people’s success ultimately explains his own.

John’s greatest responsibility was to provide for and raise his family. John and Janell had three sons. Tyler was severely handicapped and even more greatly loved. Trent and Drew were loved in their own way. Much of being a dad is summed up in what the man makes his kids do and what he does not allow them to do, and how he backs that up with discipline. John made his boys work for money, he made them apologize to mom, and he wouldn’t let them quit Taekwon-Do when it got hard. He also “made” them give him a hug before going to bed each night. Today, Trent and Drew are married with children, their dad’s influence now blessing the churches where they serve as pastors in Indianapolis and Greenville, SC.

John was a private man in his thoughts. But he was not private about his many loves. John loved his music (The Stones, Bob Seger, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty.), his shows (the Honemooners), his dogs (Midnight, Bob, Maddie, Duke, Riley, Sam), and his westerns (Lonesome Dove; The Good, the Bad, the Ugly). He loved to read, he loved being on the water, and he loved riding his Harley. But he could not enjoy any of these pleasures alone. His greatest love can be captured in a story he liked to tell of that time when he drove across the country in 38 hours and ten minutes (he did the math ahead) to take Janell to the Sunshine Saloon and watch Jordan play with the Bulls. Of course, he could have watched the Bulls anywhere. When his doctor recently asked John, “What makes you happy?,” he answered sincerely with one word: “her.” He was a man of few words, after all.

John had a quick wit. He saw the absurdity in much of life and helped us smile at it, even in ourselves. If you got near John, he might name you: Aqua Woman, Fidget, The Great Carsoni, Bruiser, and Sweet Pea are a few examples. If you spent time any time with John, you would have a story you will never forget. Rumor has it that while John and his childhood friends played Cowboys and Indians, they accidentally burned down a large forest that soon-after became the Sherwood on the Hill Country Club.

John softened up in his last years and especially his final months. Humbled by life, it seems he humbled himself before the Lord, marveling at his creation, praying for his wife, and asking for the Lord to forgive his sins. He welcomed his sons to read the Word to him and affirmed what he heard about Jesus, including the last Scripture they read together the night he passed, a reading from the book of John where Jesus said:

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:9–11).

John was preceded in death by his parents, William Carol and Nora Irene; his son, Tyler; his brother and sisters, Paul, Mary Kay, and Debbie. He is survived by his wife, Janell; his sister, Fran (and Lynn); his two boys, Trent (and Kristi) and Drew (and Christina); and nine grandchildren: Carson, Madalyn, Moses, Shae, Isaiah, Chase, Luke, Norah, and Britton.

He died in his home surrounded by his wife, Janell, and his boys. He will be buried with his son, Tyler.

Submitted by Eley Funeral Homes.