Elbert E. "Gene" Hunter

Elbert E. “Gene” Hunter, 84, passed away on, Monday, June 14, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca, Texas and resided in this same town the last two years of his life. He was born on September 24, 1936, in the family home nestled in the majestic mountainous town of Dunbar, West Virginia to the late Raymond E. and Myrtle Bessie Lee Hunter. He grew up with a deep heritage of farmers where he developed extensive knowledge and passion for gardening. Gene began earning wages at an incredibly young age by going around town and collecting grease for World War II.

Gene was number 63 on the varsity football team which is symbolic as his daughter was born in 1963. He became a lifelong avid football fan stemming from this High School experience. Upon graduation from High School, he moved to Washington D.C. where he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Identification Division until he entered the military.

He is fondly remembered as a proud, honorable, and supportive patriot throughout his life and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Airforce.

After his military service, he headed back to the D.C. area where his career made him a well-traveled and debonair man. His civilian career began with an accounting position at General Baking Co. while attending American University. Then Graduating with a bachelor's degree from Benjamin Franklin University. He served on committees that developed uniform highway signage such as the development of the Mile Marker system, font size and type as well as color of directional Road signage for the National Institute of Highway Safety. Gene progressed to become a convention coordinator for the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA). Followed by his time as Director of the Office of Administration where he had the overall responsibility for personnel, finance and purchasing for the National League of Cities and United States conference of Mayors; a lobbying organization which represents about 15,000 U.S. municipalities. He was a proponent of civil rights, rejecting hotels on convention venues that refused access to African Americans. His time spent in D.C. spurred his lifelong passion for politics.

In 1976 he moved to New Orleans, LA and worked at Rivas Business Forms Inc. as a corporate officer/sales representative and served on the Board of Directors of Dixie Marketing Group, Inc. until retirement.

During his time in New Orleans, he served many years for the Kiwanis Club New Orleans Chapter, enjoyed golfing, fishing and bird watching.

Gene and his beloved wife of 47 years, Julie R. Hunter, retired in 2002 and moved to Port O’Connor, TX until her passing. They hosted many wounded warrior families for their annual fishing tournament in Port O’Connor, TX, enjoyed traveling westward especially Red River, NM and spending time with their friends and family.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Julie R. Hunter, Gene is preceded in death by his brother, Darius Lee Hunter.

He is survived by his daughter; Kelly Hunter Gildart of Florida, and grandson; James Hunter Gildart of California.

Loving Father, Husband and Grandfather, his memory will be cherished and kept alive.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Port O’Connor Cemetery with full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to National Association of Blind Veterans, www.nabv.org.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.