Robert Wayne Hunt, after courageous battle with different health issues, returned to his loving Heavenly Father on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.
Robert was born Jan. 5, 1930, in Mangum, Oklahoma, to Robert Ray and Maggie Luna Hunt. Robert was the eldest son and carried additional responsibilities after the death of his father just before his fifth birthday. He started working at the young age of seven picking strawberries to help support the family. He attended school and worked at other odd jobs until he joined the US Army on Sept. 23, 1947, “to get out of Texas.”
After basic training and a stint in Alaska, he was stationed at Deseret Chemical Depot (DCD). Coming to Utah provided him the opportunity to meet Beverly Elton who worked at DCD as well. They were married Sept. 7, 1951, in Cedar Fort, Utah. Robert was deployed to the Port of Pusan during the Korean War. Upon his return and discharge he worked primarily at Dugway Proving Ground and retired in 1985. He began a new career as a Bus Driver for Tooele County Schools and enjoyed the kids who rode his bus.
Tooele was his home, and he spent his time in different civic activities. He was a founding member of the Jaycees, the Tooele Rotary Club, and helped to plant the original trees at the Oquirrh Hills Golf Course. He served in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a member of the Honor Guard for Tooele County. From 1985 to 2014, Robert enjoyed golfing every day but Sundays at the Oquirrh Hills Course.
Robert joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1957. He and Beverly were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple along with their children David and Lisa on April 4, 1968.
He held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Elders Quorum President, Executive Secretary and High Priest Group Leader to name a few. He was an ardent Home Teacher and did not give up until he had visited his families each month. He loved serving in the Salt Lake Temple for six years and appreciated the association with his friends from Tooele as they served together.
Robert was a funny guy with a quick wit who enjoyed helping others. He started walking each night after work to lose some weight back in 1965. There were no walking shoes then, and he wore his work shoes. He walked his whole life until his mobility was limited by age. He loved the automobile and spent hours working on his ‘67 Chevy Truck which he bought new and kept his whole life.
Robert is survived by Lisa Hunt Beck (Gene), daughter, New Harmony, Utah; Dixon Wayne Hunt, grandson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Jon Robert Beck (Anna), grandson, Stuttgart, Germany; Alyssa Beck, granddaughter, Manhattan Beach, California; Michael Gene Beck, grandson, Sandy, Utah; Ashley Beck Monsia (Yves) granddaughter, Orem, Utah; Karla Wachter Hunt, daughter-in-law, Pendleton, Oregon; Karston David Hunt, grandson, Pendleton, Oregon; Hailey, Mae and William Beck, great-grandchildren; Clinton Red Hunt, brother, Odessa, Texas; and Tommy Holliday, brother, Gainesville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart Beverly, his son David, his brother Steven Patrick Hunt, and his sister Lois Hunt Kinneman.
A visitation will be held, Friday, Oct. 23, from noon to 1 p.m., at Tate Mortuary in Tooele. Masks are advised. A graveside service will begin at 1:15 p.m. at the Tooele City Cemetery. Go to this link to view the live stream of the graveside service: my.gather.app/remember/robert-hunt-2020.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you to donate to the Tooele County Food Bank.
Special thanks to David Muir and Encompass Hospice Care for their kind, compassionate service to Robert.