Ryan Andrew Hunter

Ryan was born September 24, 1986 to Rick and Cindy Hunter. He grew up in Le Grand, California with his parents, and brothers Richard Hunter and Chad Hunter. Where one brother went, the others were never far behind. Their closeness and friendship remained a constant throughout their lives. The stories and adventures of the Hunter boys are a legacy of their own.

Ryan joined Richard in a career with Chowchilla Police Department in 2010, first as a Community Service Officer in dispatch and eventually Code Enforcement. He was a Tactical Dispatcher, a Communications Training Officer, CLETS Trainer, and Crisis Negotiator. He became a drone operator for Chowchilla Police shortly after transitioning to Code Enforcement. Ryan received numerous commendations over the years, but was much more proud of the teamwork and family dynamic at Chowchilla Police Department, than any formal recognition. His coworkers were amongst his best friends, and considered family to Ryan.

Ryan is survived by his fiancé, Nikky Pasley and her kids that he loved like his own, Dennis Staiger and Hailey Pasley. Their family also included 2 rescued “fur kids”, Ripley and Kittle. Additionally, Ryan leaves behind his parents, Rick and Cindy Hunter; His brothers Richard Hunter and Chad (Bobbi) Hunter, his nieces Preslee and Lilee Hunter, and nephew Hank Hunter; His aunts and uncles Greg “Buck” and Donna Hunter, and David and Karen Thiel; and his cousins Matthew Thiel and Megan Phillips.

Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Fern Hunter, and Bill and Ruth Watts.

Ryan was an avid sports fan, a lover of the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers, and also of all things NFL in general. Sunday Funday was a whole season-long event for Ryan, and was always accompanied by his famous BBQ and smoked foods, or the famous RyRy Rice. Ryan was passionate about Christmas, he was the brain and technology behind Chowchilla’s Califa Light show which he, Nikky and the kids started less than 2 months after moving to Chowchilla. Ryan spent an endless amount of time, year round, programming and planning so the community would have a local light show to be proud of, then checked and maintained it daily so that it always ran smoothly. He truly was like a kid on Christmas when he would see families enjoying his hard work, and always got excited when community members would donate to the coat and toy bin he kept for the VFW’s drive. He shamelessly recruited friends to help set up the show, and once you were in, he had expectations! It was a true labor of love, and brought him such pride.

The family would like to thank Chowchilla Police Department, and Chowchilla Police Officer’s Association for their unending support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, we request that those wishing to honor Ryan do so by donating to the Chowchilla POA in memory of him. Donations can be sent to Chowchilla POA, 122 Trinity Ave., Chowchilla CA 93610.

Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Hunter family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Sierra Calvert, Funeral Arranger.