HUNTER

Lloyd Dale Hunter was born on September 21, 1949 in Gainesville, Texas to James Audrey Hunter and Norma Wanda (Kennedy) Hunter. He was raised in Gainesville, Texas. Lloyd married Sammie Lee Proffer on December 28, 1967 in Gainesville, Texas, a marriage that would last for over fiftythree years and produce four children: Samantha Diane Lewis, James Lloyd Hunter, John David Hunter, and Mary Kay Hunter. He graduated from Gainesville High School in May 1968.

Lloyd joined the US Army upon graduation from High School and would serve his country in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from Army in 1973 and returned to civilian life. He attended Texas A&M University for two years studying Industrial Distribution. Although he did not attain his degree from Texas A&M, he was a lifelong Aggie and passed along his love for A&M to his children and grandchildren. Dale would eventually earn his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology in 1988 from Tarleton State University.

Lloyd returned to the military when he joined the Air Force Reserves in 1976. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserves in 1978. However, he would rejoin the AF Reserves in 1987. He served in the Air Force Reserves until his retirement as an E-8 (Senior Master Sergeant) in 2006. During his time in the Air Force reserves he travelled to many different places to serve his annual tours. He deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dale was an active participant in the community. He served as pastor at Warren’s Creek Baptist Church in Hamilton County for several years. He coached little league baseball teams and was an active member of the Dublin Athletic Booster Club for many years. He always supported his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors and supported their teams and teammates. He made an impact on many children’s lives working as a house parent at the Hendrick Ranch in Leuders, Texas and the Presbyterian Children’s Home in Itasca, Texas.

A daughter, Mary Kay, preceded him in death in 1981. Other family members that preceded him in death include his parents, James and Norma; a mother-in-law, Anna Margaret Hunter; two brothers, James Lester and Darrel Wayne; his sisters, Donna Lee and Carol Gayle (Kay) Cochran; and a nephew, Thomas Marlin McWhorter, Jr. He is survived by his wife,

He is survived by his wife, Sammie Hunter; his children and their spouses, Samantha Diane Lewis and Kyle Lewis of De Leon, Texas, James and Courtney Hunter of Longview, Texas, and John David and Joann Hunter of Pinehurst, North Carolina. He is also survived by his brothers, Harold Duane and Diane Hunter of McGregor, Texas, and Tommy Cochran of Palo Pinto, Texas; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Darlene and Frank Gaitan of Dublin, Texas, and Randy and Virginia Proffer of Myra, Texas.

His pride and joy were his grandchildren who called him PawPaw: Zachary Trenton, Rebecca Diane, Allison LeeAnn, Kasey Edward, Nathan Lane, Lucas James, Audrey Anna, Autumn Renae, and Lilly Grace and one great grandson, Adrian Jackson.

Funeral services celebrating Dale’s life were held Friday, March 19, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Greens Creek Baptist Church in Dublin with Pastor Ben McCleery officiating. Interment followed in Upper Greens Creek Cemetery with Military Honors. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation (Parkinson’s Research for a Cure) at P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, in memory of Lloyd. Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com.