Tommy Hunter

Tommy Hunter, of Jessieville, was promoted to his heavenly home and reunited with the love of his life, Virginia Hunter, and his beloved family and friends October 28, 2020, at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, parents Thurman and Lois Hunter and brother Ronnie Hunter, all of Jessieville. Tommy is survived by his son, Alan Hunter of Jessieville, and daughter Susanna Crow (Jeff) of New DeRoche. Grandchildren Bradley Hunter (Brittany) of Jessieville, Evan Hunter, Sam Hunter, John David Crow (Ashley) Addison Scout Payne (Jared) of Springdale, and two great-granddaughters, Grace and Aubrey, whom he loved beyond measure. He is also survived by his sister, Robin Duncan (Don) of Jessieville, many nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Tommy was born in Hot Springs, Ark., and lived close to the airport as a child. He recounted stories of watching the airplanes fly over their house as a young boy with his big brother Ronnie, who was known to lead him into trouble from time to time. Even as young men when they were accused of attempting to blow up a government bulldozer. Something Tommy would neither confirm nor deny. The family moved to Jessieville while he was still young and he grew up swimming in the creeks, riding his horse everywhere he went including school and playing with his cousins who were like siblings to him. Tommy loved to share memories of his beloved baby sister, his mama, who he loved dearly and his Daddy, a cattleman and butcher by trade and a moonshiner on the side. He met the love of his life, Virginia, on a blind double date. He, with his date in the front seat of the car and Virginia in the backseat with his best friend. By the end of the evening he was holding hands between the seats with Virginia, and the rest is history. After they married, Tommy began working for the Forest Service and cut and hauled pulpwood to work his way through college and support his family. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Education from Henderson State University in 1972. Tommy began teaching at Jessieville School, where many friendships and alliances were formed, even inspiring a student walkout on his behalf, much to his great surprise. Tommy later taught at Paron High School, serving as interim principal for a time, and again earning the love and respect of many students, teachers and parents. As a bus driver for Paron schools, in the late 70's, much of his route was rural but also ran farther back into the somewhat remote areas of the district. As a result, Tommy carried a sawed-off shotgun under the driver's seat for safety. Always comfortable with anyone he met, Tommy was often asked to accompany the local deputies on visits to homes in those areas, just to facilitate a smooth exchange. Later, Tommy took a break from teaching, sold heavy equipment for a time then became his own best customer and bought a backhoe which he used to put his Bachelor's degree to work digging footings, seawalls and doing other dirt work. Tommy hired many friends and family members over the years to help with various jobs. Some ran the backhoe or shot grade, others propped up shovels, working to keep the morale up. Years later, Tommy returned to his first love, teaching, first at Hampton High School and then Carthage High School, living in a camper during the week and driving home on the weekends. He once again came to love his students and fellow teachers, smiling and laughing as he recounted classroom antics and church visitations where he experienced worship like never before. He later returned to Jessieville school to finish out his years in education working in maintenance, once again developing great friendships and putting his handyman skills to use. Tommy was blessed with two children, five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. "Pa" to the grandchildren, he was known, and expected, to play tricks on the children. Short sheeting beds, pulling his teeth out to make the babies laugh, unable to walk because he "had a bone in his leg" and dressing up as colorful historical characters, topping it all off with his cowboy hat. His grandchildren fondly recall his love of Western movies and cowboys, and always considered him their own personal cowboy. In his final years, Tommy spent much of his time caring for his behaviorally unstable cat Lucy, visiting old times in his memories and visiting with his sister. His last days were spent in the loving care of the wonderful staff of CHI St. Vincent Hospice program. Graveside service will be held 2 p.m., on Saturday, November 7, at Talley Cemetery, in Jessieville, Ark. The family has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations made in his memory be sent to the Jessieville band program to purchase new band instruments. Guest may register www.caruth-hale.com