City Council To Discuss Senior Tax Freeze Tuesday. See Our Legal Notices.

Funeral Service To Be Held Later For Signal Mountain Man Whose Body Was Found By Hiker; David Hunter Was Talented Artist

  • Friday, July 3, 2020
David Preston McKay Hunter
David Preston McKay Hunter

Funeral services will be held later for 27-year-old David Preston McKay Hunter, who had been missing and whose body was found by a hiker in a wooded area of Signal Mountain on Wednesday.

A resident of Signal Mountain, he was a 2011 graduate of Notre Dame High School and of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He was employed at Amazon in Chattanooga and at Pruett’s on Signal Mountain. He had previously been employed by FWE in Portland, Tn., Southern Champion Tray, the Hamilton County Department of Education and Enzo’s Market. At an earlier time, he had proudly served as a parking lot logistician at the Signal Mountain Walmart.

His family said, "David enjoyed playing his guitars and writing songs. He was a talented artist and enjoyed cooking and anything creative. He also enjoyed the outdoors and was a car enthusiast. David had a big, kind heart and touched the lives of many people. He will be missed."

He is survived by his parents, Stephen and Julie Hunter; brother, Joe Hunter; grandmother, Constance Ayers Hunter (Athens, GA); aunt, Emily Winchell McKay; uncle, David (Carol) Hunter (Athens); and first cousins: Ellen McKay (Patrick) Rafferty (Atlanta); Laura Jane McKay (Huntington Beach, CA); James Hunter and Hannah Hunter Mitchum (both of Athens). He is also survived by his good friend, Maureen Nolan. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Soccer Program at Notre Dame High School, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga 37404 (myndhs.com), or to the SME Preservation Fund (for the Mountain Arts Community Center), P.O. Box 278, Signal Mountain 37377 (SMEpreservationfund.org).

A private family service will be conducted at a later date with the Reverend Sally Ensley presiding.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/19/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ALLISON,JACOB ... more

Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
Driver Robert L. Lynn, 35, Dies As Vehicle Plunges Into Tennessee River At Highway 58
  • 7/18/2025

Sheriff deputies responded to the 6800 block of Highway 58 near Wolftever Bridge for the report of a vehicle crash with entrapment shortly after noon on Friday. Upon arrival, deputies located ... more

Man With Felony Record Found With Gun In Car That Almost Hit Officer Gets 37-Month Federal Sentence
  • 7/18/2025

A man with a felony record who almost struck a police officer while driving on June 23, 2024, has been sentenced to serve 37 months in federal prison. Joseph Watkins appeared before Judge ... more