Fred Oscar Hunt

Fred Oscar Hunt, 86, a native and life-long resident of Lexington, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Monday morning, January 23, 2012 surrounded by several members of his family, after being in declining health in recent months. For the past three and a half years, Fred resided at Summit Place at SouthPark in Charlotte, an assisted living community. Fred was born on October 11, 1925 to the late David Bradley and Leona Palmer Hunt. He had ten siblings, brothers Clifford, Lloyd, Jim, Adrian, Joe, and Ralph, and sisters Rosa Holmes, Virgie Warfford, Treva Leonard, all deceased and Donese Sink of Lexington, NC. He graduated from Linwood High School and was drafted and bravely served in the US Army in the 422nd Infantry Division during World War II in Europe. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, was injured and captured during that battle and was held in German prison camps as a POW for 118 days. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Lexington and subsequently married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Rhodes, on June 7, 1947. Fred was extremely proud of and loved his family very deeply. His family was his greatest achievement and his greatest love. He is survived by his wife Carolyn of over 64 years, daughter, Kathy Lookabill of Chattanooga, Tennessee; sons and daughters-in-law, Doug and Debbie Hunt of Lexington, NC; Dave and Martha Hunt of Raleigh, NC; and Jim and Ginny Hunt of Charlotte, NC, who have loyally and faithfully looked after and cared for Fred and Carolyn since their move to Charlotte. Fred is also survived by ten grandchildren, Lt. Commander (US Navy) Ryan (and Julia) Lookabill of Vienna, Virginia, Jay (and Kate) Lookabill of Cologne, Germany, Amy Hunt (and Michael) Bushnell of Charlotte, NC, Anna Hunt (and Nat) Hunter of Monroe, NC, Rhodes Hunt of Clemson, SC, Spencer Hunt of Raleigh, NC Alli Hunt (and Paul) Hogan of Myrtle Beach, SC, Kenan Hunt of Charlotte, NC, Davis Hunt of New York, NY, and Graham Hunt of Charlotte, NC. In addition, Fred is survived by four great-grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Reid Lookabill of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Fred joined the U.S. Postal Service and worked for several years on the postal car for the railroad line from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC. In 1954, he transferred to the Lexington Post Office and worked as a mail carrier for 35 years until his retirement in 1989. Never a stranger to hard work, Fred held several other jobs, helping on his parents’ farm during his childhood days, working in the meat market for Uncle Joe in his grocery stores, serving as a salesman at his nephew’s used auto sales lots, among others. He was totally devoted to his family and to Carolyn’s family and could always be counted on for assistance. Fred loved watching sporting events, starting with his Tar Heels. He and Carolyn spent many memorable afternoons, evenings and weekends traveling to watch his children and grandchildren participate in one of many sporting events. He was always a vocal supporter. Fred was a member of Center Hill Baptist Church in Lexington, NC for decades and also served as a deacon of the church. Later in life, Fred and Carolyn moved to High Rock Lake and became members of the Macedonia Methodist Church, which was near their home at the lake. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at Macedonia United Methodist Church in Southmont, NC on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Visitation will be at the Church at 1:00PM and the funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00PM. The family would like to express its appreciation to the staff at the Summit Place at SouthPark in Charlotte and the Hospice & Palliative Care - Charlotte Region for their wonderful care and compassion in working with Fred over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, consider sending donations to Veterans Support Foundation, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 or Macedonia United Methodist Church, 10890 NC Highway 8, Lexington, NC 27351.