Ray Eli Hunter

Ray Eli Hunter, age 89, passed away at Hospice House on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

He was born February 13, 1921, in Stigler, OK, to George Thomas and Nellie Susan (Wages) Hunter, and lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California before coming to Odessa in 1937. He played football and basketball for Odessa High School, graduating in 1938.

After Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp, serving in California and Nevada before going to North Africa in 1942, then to Italy with the 15th Air Force, staying overseas for 25 months.

On December 16, 1942, he married the love of his life, Bobbie Ruth Conn in Vancouver, WA, while stationed at Portland Army Air Base in Oregon, before going overseas. They had two daughters, Linda Rae (Hunter) Everett and Barbara Ann (Hunter) Huff.

He was a member of First Baptist Church. Most of his career was with J.H. Marks Trucking Co. of Odessa, where he served in many positions. He was in Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, York Rite and Scottish Rite, American Legion, and the OHS Band Boosters.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbie (Conn) Hunter of Odessa; daughter, Barbara Huff and husband, Stan of Crossville, TN; twin brother, Roy T. Hunter of Kermit; granddaughter, Ellen (Everett) Garza and husband, Victor of Austin; grandson, Gregory Hunter Lovelace and wife, Leslie of Acworth, GA; grandson, U.S. Air Force Captain Brandon Ray Huff and wife, Shelley of Del Rio, TX; step-grandchildren, Steven Huff and wife, Michelle of Jacksonville, FL; Sheryl Huff Carter and husband, Dana of Illinois, and Dr. Staci Huff Bracken and husband, Pete of Jacksonville, FL; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Linda Garza, Keaton and Lauren Lovelace, Haylee Bracken, Nico and Alex Huff, and Kate and Chance Carter, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Thomas and Nellie S. Hunter; his infant sister, Lorena Chloe Hunter; his daughter, Linda Rae (Hunter) Everett; and his nephew, Thomas Ray Hunter.

There will be a family visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel with Rev. Curtis Brewer officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Deerings Nursing Home, 1020 N. Co Rd West, Odessa, TX 79763; to Hospice House of Odessa, 903 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.