George William Hunt

George “Sonny” William Hunt, age 82, of Walker, MN, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at his home with his family by his side. 

He was born on November 11, 1935 in Chicago, IL to George Hunt and Lenora Margaret Gerth.  In 1952 he began his military career with the Illinois National Guard.  In the summer of 1956, he met Dorothy Arlene Christman through her brother-in-law at Borg Warner, where they were both employed.  They were married on November 17, 1956 in Melrose Park, IL. They were blessed with four children, George “Butch” William, David Allen, Ronald Carlton, and Cindy Grace.  In 1971, they purchased Fisher’s Point Resort, a place that they had previously spent many happy family vacations.  They moved to Walker to run the resort, arriving in March of 1972.  George expanded their family businesses by purchasing and running Leech Lake Lanes in 1977, running both businesses until selling Fisher’s Point in 1986.  They continued to run the bowling alley until it was sold around 1990.  In addition to these businesses, George drove school bus, he volunteered for the fire department as a firefighter and for the ambulance squad as an EMT, he also returned to the US Army (National Guard Reserves) for a time.  After leaving the Army, George found a passion serving his community with his wife through the Spencer-Ross American Legion.  He participated in the Honor Guard, was the director of the 40 & 8 Nursing Scholarship Program, called bingo, helped out with meat raffles, delivered meals on wheels and you could always find him singing Karaoke every weekend.  George found his love for music through the many bands he played bass guitar in, like Country Pride, Edsel and the Fenderskirts and Country Special.  In his retirement, he purchased Lake Regions Vacuum to keep himself busy. 

The family that George joins again are his beloved wife of 57 years, Dorothy Hunt; and his parents, Lenora and George.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his sons, George Hunt IV of Brooklyn Park; David Hunt of Des Moines, IA; and Ronald (Lisa) Hunt of Brooklyn Park, MN; daughter, Cindy (Bob) Nies of Breezy Point, MN, sister, Kathleen Burgh of Bartlett, IL; grandchildren, Jennifer (Keith), Roshelle, George V (Bryn), Christopher (Elise), Brittany (Jason), Breana, Aleyna, Andrew, Jessica, and Amanda; great grandchildren, Hayden, Joshua, and Isaac.

Funeral services for George will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Walker.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker.  Pastors John Dainsburg and Bob Dennis will officiate.  Pallbearers helping to lay George to rest will be George Hunt IV, David Hunt, Ron Hunt, Bob Nies, Chris Hunt, and George Hunt V.  Honorary pallbearers will be all his friends from the legion and honor guard friends.  Interment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Walker.  Military honors will be accorded by the Walker Spencer-Ross American Legion Post #134.

In lieu of flowers, George’s family requests donations be made to the Spencer-Ross American Legion 40 & 8 Scholarship Fund or the Spencer-Ross American Legion Honor Guard at PO Box 186, Walker, MN 56484.

George’s care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

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