Raymond Hunter

Raymond Blair Hunter, age 80, went home to be with his heavenly father on August 17, 2017. Born to David and Julia Hunter in Stebenville, Ohio, he grew up in Weirton, WV. He attended the University of Louisville on a Naval scholarship where he was a Lamda Chi Alpha. Ray graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, was commissioned into the Navy, joined the Lutheran Church, was married, and drove to California to report for duty, all within two weeks. Upon Commission, he was stationed in San Diego on the USS Cook. After serving in the Navy, he went to work for American Air Filter in Louisville, KY. He opened a branch office in Birmingham, AL in 1975. He started his own company, Ray Hunter and Associates in 1984 where he worked until his retirement in 2013. Ray was a pioneer in the field of Industrial Ventilation for over 50 years and conducted conferences at Auburn University, UAB, NC State, and UNLV.

Ray married Judy Ernst in 1960 and had four children. Ray is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy; children Terry Shiflett, David Hunter and his wife Kimberly, Bob Hunter and his wife Lee, Jill Murphy and her husband Ted; grandchildren, Tim Shiflett and his wife Jaclyn, Tal Shiflett and his daughter Teagan, Trent Shiflett, Mary Judith Schuelly and her husband Jay and son Cody, Ellen Darty and her husband Jacob, Elise Murphy and Benjamin Murphy.

Ray has a twin brother, Bob, who was also his best friend, and his wife Doris, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and brother Bill.

Ray was a long time member of First Lutheran Church of Birmingham, AL and a current member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. Ray was a devoted Pittsburg Steelers fan and Louisville Cardinals fan as well as a supporter of UAB. He enjoyed reading, cooking, photography, and playing golf with his buddies.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be Monday, August 21 at 3pm with visitation one hour prior at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. A committal service will be Tuesday, August 22 at 10:15 at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

Flowers may be sent to Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham or donations may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or American Village in Montevallo, AL.