John Frederick Hunt, 93

Sept. 29, 1929 — Oct. 8, 2022

John Frederick Hunt, age 93, passed away peacefully in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 8, 2022, with his family by his side.

In Bellingham, Wash., on Sept. 29, 1929, John was the second son born to Gertrude and Roy Hunt. It is here amidst the Depression, where he spent a happy childhood with family and friends of whom he cherished for his lifetime. Clam digging and berry gathering were a favorite pastime, and then bringing them home for the ultimate chowder and pies.

John then attended New Mexico Military Institute, graduating early to enter the University of Washington just as he was turning 17 years old. He became a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity where he enjoyed the support, comradery, and especially the organized social life — including the Valentines dance where he met his future wife, Diane Kendall.

Aug. 15, 1953, John and Diane were married at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane. John graduated from the University of Washington Dental School in 1954, and then served as a dentist in the United States Airforce at Travis Airforce Base, California.

After their first daughter Julie was born in 1956, John moved his young family to Spokane, opening a dental office on the North side and practicing for 40 years. They welcomed their second daughter, Cece, in 1960. Summers were spent on Chicken Point of Hayden Lake, Idaho, where John built one house, then a guest house, a dock, furniture, teeter-totters and swings in trees. He grew a vegetable garden, cooked his famous huckleberry pancakes for guests and neighbors and smoked delectable chickens on the barbecue. As a member of Hayden Lake Country Club, John enjoyed many hours of golf and dining. All the while, he was actively engaged with a simultaneous career as an orchardist in Wenatchee, Wash.

It felt like there was nothing that our sweet dad couldn’t fix, including ours and the neighbors’ injuries, a sick stomach, broken toys, or a clogged disposal. He cared and provided for his family, but most importantly taught us to navigate life happily. He played with us, taught us all to drive a boat, spent endless hours pulling water skiers, finished our sewing projects and taught us to knit.

As life progressed, John and Diane travelled to the Holy Land and Hawaii, cruised to various spots in the Caribbean and explored the Southwest U.S. They bought a home in Arizona for more golf and a place to spend winters. They visited their grown girls, their husbands and families, and welcomed three stunning granddaughters.

Providing utmost joy in John and Diane’s later years, the granddaughters grew and played in front of their eyes during summers at Hayden. And for a man who loved children — loved to hold them, watch them, feed them and give to them — the ultimate gift arrived this last spring as John met his baby great granddaughter, whose stories and pictures inspired smiles and purpose through his last days.

We will dreadfully miss you Dad, Grampa, and Great Grampa — but we are grateful to have had you as ours, and know you are now forever comfortable and happy with God, Mom, and all your family and friends gone before you.

John is survived by his daughters Julie Cook (Troy), Cece Patterson (Gregg), granddaughters Suzanne (Alex) Puryear, Stacey Patterson, Shannon Patterson and great-granddaughter Maeve Puryear, nephews Roger Hunt (Linda), Brad Hunt (Debbie Lynn) and sister-in-law Rosemary Hunt. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Bill Hunt, and wife Diane.

A private family service will be held for interment at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, then a celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

Special and sincere thanks from the family to Rockwood Retirement South Hill, the staff and to Village Plan of Spokane’s caregiver Betsy.

Suggested memorials might be to the American Lung Association or the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.