Gene Hunt
Well-known Chattanoogan Gene Hunt passed away Wednesday evening. Mr. Hunt was a long time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and active in Episcopal Church activities. He served as an administrative assistant to both Third District Congressmen Bill Brock and Lamar Baker and impacted so many lives.
Gene was a very successful insurance agent for years in the Hamilton County area. Mr. Hunt retired from the Naval Reserve and served on the Armed Forces Week Committee. He was an avid runner and you would see him a lot around town especially the Walnut Street Bridge. He was a faithful listener to the Hey Earl Show and enjoyed the Big Band Music. Mr. Hunt formed a support group for widows and widowers. He was very knowledgeable on military issues.
Some of his friends remember the well-known Chattanoogan.
Fellow church member Rick Govan has known Mr. Hunt for many years. He said, “Mr. Hunt was a church member you could always depend on and helped a lot of people.”
Jim Hall, former National Transportation Safety board chairman, called Mr. Hunt “a great man.”
Former News Free Press writer John Vass said Mr. Hunt was “a great person and friend.”
Former State Rep. Richard Floyd said, “Gene Hunt was my good friend and a great American citizen."
Hamilton County Historian Linda Moss Mines wrote, “Gene was a wonderful friend to Tony (her late husband) when Tony was a young boy. He was a dear man of kindness and integrity.”
Former State Rep. Ken Meyer said, “Very Sorry to hear, he was a good man.”
Stephen Pike, Chattanooga Funeral Home vice president, “I’ve known the family since high school. Mr. Hunt loved our country and did the Navy proud, He will be missed.”
Retired broadcaster Ben Cagle was a member of his support group, “Gene was first class all the way, He will be missed, Prayers for his family.”
Navy Commander and friend Alden Perry said, “Captain Gene was a man for all seasons. He was a member of the Alexian Brothers live at home program and we celebrated Christmas together with a luncheon. He took care of widows with support groups. He was a mentor to me and we will surely miss his guidance, Rest in Peace Brother, we have the watch.”
Richard Lee Cox, who served with Mr. Hunt on several professional boards, said, “Gene Hunt was the calming voice at the table and will be missed.”
This writer always enjoyed our conversations and will miss him very much. Gene Hunt was an outstanding American who loved his city.
He was 90. His arrangements are being handled by the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel and are incomplete at this time. He will be laid to rest at the Chattanooga VA National Cemetery with full military honors.
Earl Freudenberg
HeyEarl1971@epbfi.com