Dean Joseph Hunter

Dean was born to Arthur Walker Hunter and Alice Easthope in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the second of six children. He lived in Salt Lake City and Kearns. Dean graduated from Cyprus High School in 1966. Dean worked hard from a young age, delivering newspapers and cleaning seminary buildings to help support his family. He loved and honored his parents and siblings.

Dean served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern Canada Mission where he bragged that he learned to drive stick shift in the snow. He loved his mission and always talked about the difference it made in his life and how it led him to his career.

Dean attended BYU where he met Karen Black. They met cleaning BYU buildings early in the mornings. He said, "At 5 a.m., you don't put on many airs." He felt like he knew the heart of Karen from the beginning. They got engaged, had their first kiss, and then later, went on their first date - in that order. Karen knew from the beginning that Dean would keep her safe. They had adventures with an owl, some fish, and secret tunnels as they worked together.

After graduating with a degree in history, Dean continued to be a loyal fan of BYU sports and would watch their games on the edge of his seat, clapping once, loudly, whenever his team made a big play.

Dean and Karen were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on January 28, 1972. In 1975 they moved to Magna, Utah where they lived for 47 years and raised their family of eight children.

Family history was Dean's passion. He worked at the Family History Library for the church for 37 years and after retirement, he spent countless hours researching his family lines and those of other families. He said he was having too much fun to charge for his research. He provided the names of more than 10,000 people to the temple. He knew he would always have work to do but dreamed of a time when ALL genealogy would be done for everyone.

He specialized in family history records from the British Isles and went on many trips to collect records and to open doors for communications between the genealogists of the two nations. He loved the UK and his returns to Utah were like Christmas. He would open his suitcase of British delights and souvenirs and pass something special to each family member. He served as president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. He was a featured speaker and at and organized many genealogical conferences. He was proud of traveling to all but two states in the US.

Dean served in many callings throughout the years, His favorite was as a temple worker, with his wife, in Oquirrh Mountain Temple. He did everything he could to make it to church each week where he loved to share the gospel, his testimony, and stories from his life.

Having eight children could prove challenging, but Dean made meals after work, spudnuts on Saturdays, and at least 10 pies every Thanksgiving. His signature dish was Chicken Kiev. He shuttled his children and grandchildren to and from school and work. His kids fought over who would get to go with him to the grocery store. He helped with homework and made a point to spend one-on-one time with each of his children.

In 2022, Dean suffered a stroke, and after recovering, moved to West Valley. He loved his new home and would tell everyone what a miracle his wife had worked to find it for them.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Gary Hunter, Paul Hunter, Sharon Hunter, and Judy Hunter.

Dean is survived by Joyce Hunter (sister), Karen Hunter (wife of 54 years); His children: Reed (Amy) Hunter, Laurieann (David) Thorpe, Amy (Bob) Smith, Ellen (Jason) Psilopoulos, Evan (Rachael) Hunter, James (Jeremy) Hunter – Davis, Mary (Westley) Mitchell, and Katie (Tim) Linford. He has thirty-two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, 30th October followed by the funeral at 1 PM. The services will take place in the Early Duke ward at 4444 Early Duke Rd, West Valley, Utah.

The family would like to thank the various care centers and in-home Aspire hospice support Dean had during the last years of life. Dean's children are deeply grateful for mom for all the support she offered dad as she selflessly cared for him. Dean left a legacy of love and will be dearly missed.