David R. Hunter

David Russell Hunter was born on March 8, 1936 in Louisiana, Missouri and lived in the community all of his life until his passing on January 10, 2024 after an extended illness. He was a retired science teacher in the Louisiana R-II School District having obtained a Master’s degree early in his career. He was a true Renaissance man with many interests and experiences locally as well as globally. He was proud of his agrarian roots and managed his family farm for nearly seven decades, the same property granted to his direct ancestor Captain Robert Jordan for his service in the Revolutionary War. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps Reserve. He participated in the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program which predated the Peace Corps and spent a year in India and Pakistan helping to bring modern farming techniques to rural areas in those countries. This experience sparked a love for travel and over the years he visited over 40 countries on six continents. At the age of 57 he summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter and a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. After obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he spent the next 50 years volunteering his time to the organization at the local, district, council, regional, and national levels and was awarded the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver for his efforts. He counted his memories in scouting as some of his most precious. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Louisiana and had served as an Elder for several terms. He was preceded in death by his parents Russell Boyd Hunter and Russie Mae (Fry) Hunter. He is survived by his wife Wanda Kay Hunter, his son David Robert Hunter, his daughter-in-law Debra Branstetter Hunter, his granddaughter Lauren Hunter Haskins, his grandson-in-law Bryon Jacob Haskins, his brother-in-law Fred Bridwell, sister-in-law Phyllis Bridwell, and niece Malia Bridwell. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Louisiana, MO. Julie Leverenz officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Jordan-Buffalo Cemetery near Louisiana, MO. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until time of service on Saturday, Jan. 20th at the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the charity of your choice.

David R. Hunter

March 8, 1936 - January 10, 2024