Gordon Malcolm Hunt

Colonel Gordon “Mal” Hunt passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024. He was born in Pawtucket, RI on November 27, 1935 to Gordon Everett and Helen Aldrich Hunt. He attended high school in Westwood, MA and graduated from Boston University with a BA degree in Philosophy and Government and a commission in the Regular US Army as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1957. While in college, he was Cadet Captain of the Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade. The next day, he married the former Ann Louise Houghton. The two immediately left for Fort Benning GA, where he completed the Basic Infantry Officer's Course and Airborne School.

In 1958, he was accepted for flight training at Camp Gary, TX, where his daughter was born. The Hunt family lived in Germany from 1960-63, bringing home their 3-month old son from that assignment. In 1964, he became helicopter qualified and subsequently spent two tours in Vietnam flying Hueys and Chinooks. He served in command and staff positions of increased scope and responsibility for 30 years, to include commanding the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. He also served a two-year tour in Ethiopia as the General's Aide and pilot. During that tour, the family was able to visit the Holy Land and Kenya. His last overseas duty was in Seoul, Korea where he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for 8th Army and US Forces Korea. He and Ann were able to travel to many Asian countries while there. His final assignment was serving as Dean of Joint Planning at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk from 1984-1987, retiring in July of that year.

COL Hunt's awards and decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 1 oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Air Medal with numeral 11 and 3 "V" devices, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, among others. He was a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College. He also received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in 1976. After military retirement, he worked as a senior training analyst and program manager until 2000. He then volunteered as a costumed interpreter on the three ships at Jamestown Settlement until he suffered a stroke in 2006. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and active member of the Scottish Rite bodies and Williamsburg Lodge #6, as well as the Khedive Shriners. Mal was a former member of the Williamsburg Country Club and enjoyed golf and the social activities there. He was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church for over 35 years, serving on the Vestry, as Head Usher for more than 10 years, and was a charter member of the church bell choir.

Mal was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, The Reverend Donald Hunt. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 67 years, Ann, daughter Jolene and husband Rich Lunsford of Colorado, son Jeffrey and his wife Georgeann of Hampton, granddaughter Lauren Lunsford, grandson Daniel and wife Elif, sister-in-law Louise Hunt, three bonus granddaughters, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held on October 26, 2024 at 2 p.m. at St Martin's Church with a reception to follow in the parish hall. He will be inurned in the Memorial Garden at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to St. Martins Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.