Jim served rural Methodist churches in Indiana during his last three years of college. He married the love of his life, Rosemary “Rose” Watson and moved to Southern Methodist University campus, Dallas, Texas where he attended Perkins Seminary. During his last year in seminary he served as an Associate Minister at the First Community Church of Dallas. In 1955, Jim was ordained an Elder in the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and entered the Air Force chaplaincy and served for 28 years around the world.
Promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1965 and to Colonel in l974, he was considered one of the top three Protestant ministers in the Air Force. Jim was awarded the high honor of a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.
He retired from the Air Force in 1981. After leaving the Air Force he served as the first Protestant Chaplain in a large acute care Catholic Hospital in Belleville, Illinois for fourteen years. This was a comprehensive hospital ministry reaching and serving all faiths in the 500 bed hospital.
Jim moved with his wife Rose to Pelican Bay on the north end of Lake Conroe in 1996 and served as a volunteer chaplain at the Conroe Regional Medical Center. In retirement, Jim and his beloved Rose enjoyed traveling, entertaining, and playing Bridge with their friends (although Rose usually won!) They loved the water and their home on Lake Conroe provided many holiday celebrations, sunsets, boating and fun. The family would like to thank the staff of Woodhaven for his assisted care and the dining room for his daily waffles and bacon. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Conroe and particularly enjoyed socializing and worshiping with the B.A.S.I.C. Sunday school class each week.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Rosemary (Rose) Hunt. He was predeceased by his daughter Lea Pipitone and her husband Paul Pipitone. He is survived by his son Mark Hunt and wife Grace (Nashville, Tennessee) and two granddaughters, Addie McDaniel (husband Matt) and Kelsey Pipitone of Houston. Numerous other family members and friends are also left to treasure his memory.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First United Methodist Church Conroe November 6, 2019 at 11:00am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Hunt family.
