James Hunt

James Edward Hunt, 85, life-long resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2010, at the Heritage House of Alzheimer's disease.

James was born November 10, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, to his parents, Fred Roy and Helen Willard Hunt. He grew up in Atlantic and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1942. His brother, Charles, and Jim spent many summers during their boyhoods on the farm of their uncle and aunt, Clarence and Norene Willard of Fort Madison, Iowa. During these summers Jim and Charles developed their love of farming as their father was a banker.

Following high school Jim briefly enrolled at Iowa State University before enlisting in the Navy. During World War II he attended radio operator school and officer training at Berea College and Notre Dame University.

Jim and Charles began farming south of Atlantic after the war. On June 10, 1951, James was united in marriage to Gertrude Ann Becker. They were blessed with a family of two sons and a daughter. James had a deep love of the land, crops and cattle. He had a strong work ethic, and believed in responsible stewardship of the farm land. He never walked past a thistle without pulling it, and he couldn't understand how anyone else could. It was all part of his philosophy to leave this world in better shape than when he arrived.

James was a life-long advocate for Atlantic. Jim and Gert generously supported Atlantic causes including Atlantic Community Schools, Heritage House, YMCA, Meals on Wheels and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a life member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lions Club, Rotary, Stockmasters Investment Club and Cass County Cattlefeeders.

Jim leaves behind his son, Samuel (wife, Deborah and sons, Ben and Bill) Hunt of Mason City, Iowa; son, Carl (wife, Martha and children, Daniel and Katherine) Hunt of Moscow, Idaho; and daughter, Harriet (husband, Michael and children, Megan and James) Fliss of Sterling, Illinois. Also surviving him are his sister-in-law, Louise Hunt of Atlantic, IA and her children, Fred (wife, Becky) Hunt of Atlantic, IA; Deborah Hunt Repp of Perry, IA; and Nicholas (wife, Sue) Hunt of Atlantic, IA.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gertrude, his parents and his brother, Charles.

There will be visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, followed by a luncheon at the church.

A private family committal service at the Atlantic Cemetery will precede the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund or Atlantic Community Schools Foundation.

The family would like to express special thanks for the wonderful care Jim received from the nurses and staff at Heritage House.