Dr. John Robert Hunter

Dr. John Robert “Red” Hunter, of Enid, Oklahoma passed away peacefully Friday, December 20th, at his home surrounded by family after a brief illness. He was 83 years old. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 4, 2014, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Enid under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home. The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas Peter Johnson will officiate. A private family interment will take place at a later date at the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Columbarium. The son of John Turner and Marjorie Marion (McLain) Hunter, he was born November 25, 1930, in Sun City, Kansas. He graduated with the class of 1948 from Sun City High School. He attended Kansas State University before transferring to Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma. John entered the United States Army in 1951, serving in the Korean War until 1953, and the Army Standby Reserves until his Honorable discharge in 1959. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1955, a Master of Education Degree in 1958 from West Texas State College, and a Doctorate of Education in 1970 from the University of Kansas. He was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Social Fraternity at NWSC. Further education Post Graduate work was completed at San Diego State University. John served as an educational administrator, teacher, and coach in public schools for 15 years in the states of Arizona, California, Kansas, and Texas. His highlight in coaching football came in 1961 when the Vikings of Holtville, California won the California Interscholastic Federation Championship. In 1972 he joined the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka, Kansas where he served as Director of Curriculum Planning, Research, and Evaluation until his retirement in 1982. After retirement he served as a substitute teacher and in various volunteer roles in the Vassar, Kansas community. Dr. Hunter was an active member of several professional and social organizations throughout his career including Phi Delta Kappa, ASCD, University of Kansas Alumni Association, Kansas Masonic Delta Lodge #77, Scottish Rite of Wichita, Kansas, and Arab Shrine Temple of Topeka, Kansas. John was a proud parish member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. He was an amateur woodcarver, photographer, and greatly enjoyed sharing with friends and relatives his memories of growing up in the Red Hills of Barber County, Kansas. John was a lover of nature and especially wildlife. He enjoyed with wife Margaret watching wildlife feeding, learning about trees along with other plants, and with various point of nature. He always enjoyed reading the western stories of Louis L’Amour, watching old 1960’s television westerns along with Kansas Jayhawk sporting events, and listening to his favorite cable music channels of Easy Listening along with Soundscapes. John married Margaret Ann (Clark) in Alva, Oklahoma on December 27, 1954. She survives. He is also survived by son, Michael Alan Hunter of Enid, Oklahoma; brothers Barger Hunter of Kingston, Oklahoma, Joe Hunter and wife Carolyn of Sharon, Kansas, and Dean Hunter of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law Vicki Griffith and husband Don of Sharon, Oklahoma; aunt Brenda McLain of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; along with several nieces, nephews, and many beloved cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, three aunts, and uncles. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or Circle of Love Hospice, in care of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.

Dr. John Robert Hunter

November 25, 1930 - December 20, 2013