David Hunter

Dave Hunter, 83, Family Man, Marine Colonel

David Julius Hunter, a 31-year resident of Brevard, died at his home in Brevard, NC on Saturday, July 20, 2013. He was 83 years old and the husband of Lorraine Ward Hunter.

Mr. Hunter was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 8, 1929, to the late Amelia Foster Hunter and David Dingwell Hunter. He graduated from Philadelphia's Northeast High School in 1946. While at Northeast, Mr. Hunter served as the junior and senior class president and was named to the 1946 Philadelphia Inquirer second team All Public High School football squad at left tackle.

Enlisted in the US Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class in 1948, Mr. Hunter graduated from Temple University in 1950 and upon graduation was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant. During his 25 years of Marine Corps active duty, Mr. Hunter served as a ground combat officer and led his beloved Marines in combat with the 1St Marine Division in Korea and with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. His seven years of overseas service also included duty with the Special Landing Forces of the US Sixth Fleet in the Middle East and the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific. Other duty stations included Marine Corps Headquarters, Washington, DC and Fleet Marine Force Pacific Command Center in Hawaii. On his retirement from the Marine Corps as a full Colonel in 1973, Mr. Hunter had twice earned the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, 5 battle stars and numerous other decorations recognizing his bravery and service.

Mr. Hunter met and married his soul mate and wife Lorraine, of Muskogee, OK in 1952. As a Marine wife, Lorraine served with Dave as they travelled this country from one Marine base to another. Retiring in Del Mar, CA, Dave and Lorraine moved to Connestee Falls in 1982. Mr. Hunter served as President of the Connestee Falls Board from 1993-1994. He also was a founding member of the Connestee Falls Good Neighbors program. Dave and Lorraine moved to College Walk in January, 2011, and the family wishes to acknowledge College Walk for all the love, kindness and care extended to them these past several years.

Besides his wife of 60 years, Mr. Hunter is survived by his 3 children; Lynn Hunter of Asheville; David Hunter (Donna) of Brevard; and Dana Fife (Walter) of Manti, Utah. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 25, 2013 in the Chapel of Moore Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 11:00 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory with Rev. Robert Singdahlsen officiating. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard for Veterans of Transylvania County.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dave's memory be made to Transylvania County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1288, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768.

To leave a condolence for the Hunter family please visit "obituaries" at www. moore-fh.com.

Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services are caring for the family.