OBITUARY
Gail Borden Hunter
March 29, 1941 – January 21, 2021
Gail Borden Hunter, 79, died on January 21, 2021, after a prolonged illness. A long-time resident of Powell, Gail was born in March of 1941 in Cookeville, Tennessee to Walter Halcolm Borden and Elsie Ermine Borden.
Gail began her distinguished career at the University of Tennessee shortly after her marriage in 1962. Until her retirement in 1993, she was the secretary for the Pride of the Southland Band under the direction of Dr. WJ Julian. At her retirement, Gail was the first person to be honored as a Lifetime Member of the Pride of the Southland Band. She continued working with Dr. Julian to establish the Smoky Mountain Music Festival, which became one of the premier music festivals in the nation.
Gail is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jeff Hunter, long-time basketball coach at Powell High School; her sister, Linda Borden Bridgewater (Roy); sisters-in-law, Barbara Hunter Luke (Henry), Joyce Borden, and Lisa Hunter; brother-in-law, David Hunter (Beverly); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a host of band kids. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James “Jimmy” Borden, and her brother-in-law, Steve Hunter.
So that all may join us in remembering Gail, a Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gail Hunter Memorial Band Scholarship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
UT Pride of the Southland Band 1741 Volunteer Boulevard 227 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-2605 http://giving.utk.edu/hunter
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Gail Borden Hunter
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYDonald Dewey
February 7, 2021
Ms Gail
You were always there for us, softened the blows from DOC, and always had our back in the pride..what a circle of life for you...knowing we did all those circle drills for...YOU!!
Love always deweys class of 74!
Be at peace!!
Michael Combs
January 27, 2021
Jeff, Please accept my sincere condolences for Gail's recent passing. I worked closely with Gail and the UT band program for many years during my early days as a music professor at UT. Gail was definitely a very special person and I have such great memories of her.
Janet Wheeler
January 26, 2021
Almost 40 years ago, Aunt Gail took me shopping at the Mall in Cookeville. We were in a large department store and she said she would buy me any shirt I wanted. Being an almost teen, I chose the most ridiculous cut off sweatshirt that said, "Where's the Beef?" Of course, Aunt Gail let me get it and I wore it proudly many times, my mom was not as pleased as I was with the purchase. It become sort of a personal joke between Aunt Gail and I. Often times, when we called one another, we answered the call with "Where's the Beef?" Even though we didn't talk often, when we did, it was always with lots of laughs and love. I will truly miss you!
Kathy Ray Shoopman
January 26, 2021
I am sorry to hear of Gail’s passing. During my UT band years she was the safe haven for inquiries, support, direction, and occasional frustrated direction. Her smile and support for so many of us thru the years was remarkable.
My prayers for comfort for you.
Kathy Ray Shoopman
Timothy Miller
January 26, 2021
My condolences to Jeff and the family. Gail was the guide for many students who made their way through the UT Band during the Julian years. For those of us who were band workers she was more like a mom, and she kept a good many of us out of harms (Julian's) way. She was the one who really ran the band!! I have nothing but fond memories of my five years of reporting to Gail, well, mostly!!
Tim Miller (79-84)
Houston Bowlin
January 26, 2021
Coach Hunter,
So sorry for your loss. Prayers your way.....
Houston Bowlin
walter idol
January 26, 2021
Jeff, family and friends. Patty and I were saddened to hear of Gail's passing. Since we are both from the " Julian" era of the band, we both have vivid memories of all that Gail was to the band and its members. We were fortunate to have her as our resident advocate, defender and sometimes, "corrector". Her laugh was infectious, and her wrath was utterly terrifying! I feel blessed to also have called her my friend....
Prayers to you all during this difficult time
Patty and WalterIdol
David Bozeman
January 26, 2021
Sorry to hear about your wife coach. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Clay Young
January 25, 2021
Coach Hunter, so sorry to hear about your loss, prayers go out to you!!! Gail was very good to everyone, especially our PHS teams!!!! Everyone who knew Gail and you will be thinking of you! I will always be thankful for you in my life and heart because you were so helpful and supportive of me!! God bless and take care!!! Clay Young.
Mike Bayless
January 25, 2021
Coach Hunter, I am sorry to here of Gail's passing. I have found memories of her during my years at PHS. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. I am always available should you need anything.
Numbers 6:24-26
Dan Field
January 25, 2021
My condolences to Jeff and Family. The Field family including Jerry, Bob and me were so lucky to have been welcomed into the Hunter home! My life lessons from Gail, that came from that corner office, have been a blessing and have stayed with me for all these years. She saved everyone, at least once, who worked with her, from Doc! One time that stands out for me is the time we loaded up the U-Haul and headed to Lenoir City for a Concert Band Concert. The percussion instruments and stage were set up when I realized I had left the music in the band room. I called Gail and she broke speed limits down I-75 just in time for the Concert! I still remember her eyes, above her eyeglasses, peering deep into my brain!!! I never left the music again. Prayers to Jeff and the family.
Joel Denton
January 25, 2021
My most heartfelt condolences to Jeff, family, and friends. Gail was a major part of my experience at the University of Tennessee and the Pride of the Southland. She was more than my supervisor while I led the student staff (workers), she was my advocate and friend. Her big laugh matched her big heart. Her stories of Jeff (The Hunter) and his coaching made me follow his success even after graduation and returning to Chattanooga to teach. There was never a doubt that Gail and Jeff were a great team! As a student if Gail was your friend, she fought valiantly for you, but also held you to the highest standards. She didn’t want you to fail. She was a major force behind Dr.Julian in promoting and protecting the image of the UT Band. I will always treasure my time at UT and opportunity to get to know and work with Gail. She made me a better person. All of us who had the privilege to be a part of the UT Band program have lost one of our champions. Prayers for Jeff and all Gail’s family and friends.
Jerry Harbin
January 25, 2021
Hey Coach, Just want you to know we’re praying for you. May God’s grace and Love surround you during this time.
Jerry Harbin
Patrick O'Shea
January 25, 2021
My first year in the Pride was 1967. Without a doubt, Gail was everyone's surrogate mother. She kept things running like a well-oiled machine. My freshman fall, I had a math class (TTS), and of course, the marching band played havoc on my Saturday class attendance. I tried to work something out with the instructor but he said he didn't care and made some rather unkind remarks about the band, football, and maybe even apple pie? I went to see Doc but Gail said she would "look into it". Towards the end of the quarter, I was directed to the Math Office and advised that I would have a special test adjudicated by a different instructor and this would replace all the exams I had missed. At home waiting to go to the Orange Bowl, my grades came and I had a B. Thanks "mom"...
Tom Carpenter
January 25, 2021
While I was in college, Gail was very much my mom away from home. She generously helped me out when I needed support and she gave me holy heck when I needed to straighten up and get my act together. We always counted on her to keep everything running smoothly. Rest In Peace, Gail.
Diana Sharp
January 25, 2021
She was like a sister to me for years while working in the Music building at UTK. My favorite memory was dressing up on My first Halloween in Knoxville, I had never been to her house, but a friend and I trick or treated there anyway. Gail, Jeff and I talked about that visit forever! My birthday was also her mother’s so she always said our friendship was meant to be! Rest In Peace, Gail!
Jake Leonard
January 25, 2021
Sad