An angel opened up the book of life and wrote down our baby’s birth. Then before our hearts were ready, God whispered as he closed the book, “He’s too beautiful for earth.” Hunter Michael Hadley, 20, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 27th, 2023.
Hunter was a radiant soul who filled every moment in life with joy and happiness. He was the smile from across the room that would brighten your entire day. He had a giggle that was purely contagious. Hunter was a good friend that would always lend a shoulder to cry on, the person who made you better just by knowing him. He was an experienced fisherman who always bragged about the one trout on his stringer (even if he did have to wade for 8 hours to catch it). It wasn’t about the quantity of the fish he put in the boat, it was about the quality of time spent doing what he enjoyed, with the people that he loved. Hunter refused to just exist. Even though Hunter’s life was not as long as we wanted, he showed everyone that he came into contact with what it was like to live life to the fullest. His passion for all things revolving around water were undeniable. If he wasn’t working, you knew exactly where he would be. Hunter was an avid duck hunter and fisherman; sunshine or gloomy weather, it didn’t matter; if you said let’s go duck hunting or fishing, he was already at the boat ramp waiting for you. Hunter set the example of what a true friend looked like. He was simply the best in all aspects of life.
Hunter always slowed down to make time for his family, including his girlfriend, Raygan Snyder. Hunter and Raygan were inseparable and made it a point to enjoy every moment spent with each other. Hunter was a beloved son to two wonderful sets of parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed. Hunter always made an effort to include them on his exciting endeavors. He adored asking his family, especially his father, to join him on the boat for a duck hunt. He always left out simple things, like the 4:00 AM wake up time with a boat ride in 40-degree drizzling rain, only to sit in a wide-open duck blind in the middle of the bay. Those were just minor details to Hunter. The only thing he cared about was making memories with the ones he loved the most. Hunter was the best big brother to his six siblings. Hunter didn’t have to say I love you, he had this amazing bear hug that made you feel everything he didn’t say out loud. He was quiet at home, but somehow always made you feel loved and acknowledged by him.
We will continue to take the boat on the water and do all the things he loved. We will do this to not only honor him, but to be reminded of him. We will sit on the bow of the boat and watch the choppy waves crash against the shoreline, run our toes through sand and feel the sunshine on our faces and know he is right here with us.
Hunter was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Oswald and Virginia Kirchner, Gerald and Patricia Weathersby and Herman and Winnie Stephens; and grandfather, Raymond Reed.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed; siblings, Holton Hadley, Dane Ramsey, Paisley Hadley, Stetson Hadley, Elizabeth Reed and Ethan Reed; the girlfriend he adored, Raygan Snyder; aunts and uncles, Kristin and Louis Ruiz, Bonnie and Jack Glover, Michelle Hadley and Dennis Zimmerman, Earl E. “Peyton” Ellsworth IV, Terisha and Patrick Herrington, Ralph S. and Erika Weathersby, Ashley and Hugh Caldwell III, Ava Schweke, Aurora Weathersby, Kara Dierschke, Ryan Dierschke, Tony Daniel, Tonia and David Meadows and Ryan and Sylver Reed; grandparents, Buster and Peggy Hadley, Ralph Jecker and Ashley Weathersby, Vicki Stephens, Steven and Shelia Dierschke, Danny and Sheri Evins, Toni Praytor Hanson and Linda Reed; and great-grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Daniel.
A celebration on life will be held at the Port O’Connor Community Center Pavilion on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at 10:00 AM, with burial to follow at the Port O’Connor Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Holton Hadley, Leo Click, Sam Thumann, Will Ragusin, Andrew Ragusin, Ricky Dudley, Dayne Rangel, Ronnie Carriles and Trevor Williamson. Honorary pallbearers are McCoy Wagner and Trent Woody. Food and Fellowship will take place after the burial at the Port O’Connor Community Center. We ask that you please wear your camo attire with jeans to honor Hunter and all the things he loved.
On the following day, Sunday, February 12th, 2023 at 11:00 AM we will be traveling by boat to Hunter’s favorite fishing spot, Fish Pond, to release a wreath on the water in memory of Hunter. All friends and family able to travel by boat are welcome.
