Laurice Joan Hunter

8.29.32 – 2.25.22

Laurice Joan Hunter also known as “Lo” passed away on February 25, 2022 in Wheat Ridge, CO. Lo was born August 29, 1932 the youngest of twelve children to Grover and Grace Hunter. She grew up in Dodge City, Kansas and graduated from Dodge City High School in 1951. Lo attended Dodge City Community College and then went on to attend Wichita State University. She spent her early career teaching at Coffeyville Junior High School in Kansas, Brady High School in Texas and West Lakewood Elementary School in Colorado before her 23 years at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado.

Lo was a catalyst in girls organized sports coaching gymnastics tennis and track and field for free in the early 1970’s. She continued on to coach basketball, golf and most notably volleyball. She was integral in more than 120 young women’s lives going to 4-year colleges on scholarship. That was her biggest reason for driving girls sports. In her decorated volleyball career at Evergreen High School, she finished top five at the Colorado High School Activities Association state championship 16 times. Her teams won nine state championships and in seven of those seasons her teams were undefeated. From 1978 to 1984, her Evergreen teams won 182 consecutive matches, and from September 1983 to November 1984, her teams won 67 consecutive games. In the 1984 season, her team did not lose a single game. Her teams won 14 Jefferson County League titles and she was named coach of the year by the Colorado State Coaches Association nine times. Lo is also a member of many other halls of fame: Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame (1996), Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame (1984), Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (2009), Evergreen High School Hall of Fame (1996), Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Hall of Fame (1986), Jefferson County Athletics Hall of Fame (1996), Dodge City Community College Hall of Fame (1999) and the National High School Sports Hall of Fame (1999).

Lo was committed to the Lord all of her life knowing that Jesus Christ was her Savior for all of eternity. She had many close friends and family in her life. She considered all of her athletes to be her girls and had wonderful times and memories with her best friend Sommer McNitt. Lo was also able to see the world through sports. She traveled around Europe with the family of one of her former athletes, Tanya Haave, and toured Australia and many parts of the world with her sister, Dawn “Jonesy” Trinta. She also joined bowling leagues and golf leagues during her retirement.

Lo is survived by a brother Bob Hunter (Abilene, TX), her best friend Sommer McNitt (Wheatridge, CO), her beloved cat Ritzy and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anyone wishing to make a gift in her honor may send flowers to Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery or a donation to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Hunter family.