Gary Hunter

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

Gary Gyrome Hunter’s well-lived life began on February 18, 1951 in Arkadelphia, AR. He was the 2nd child of six children born to Fred D. Hunter Jr. and Seneva Knox Hunter. He was a 1969 graduate of Peake High School in Arkadelphia and a December 1973 graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia with a BSE in Art Education and Minors in Art History and Social Science. Gary was one of two African Americans to complete a degree in Art.

Gary’s work history includes serving as Art Appreciation Teacher at Ashley County Public School in Wilmot, AR and Wood Crafts Teacher for Arkansas Children’s Colony (now the Arkadelphia Human Development Center (AHDC). He recognized his students’ talents (even in individuals with mental challenges), nurtured and showcased their creations (which were purchased at various events), and reinvested these funds to supplement the money given by the State. He also gave students stipends (often from personal funds), in recognition of their efforts. Some co-workers were even inspired by his talent and enthusiasm to become craftsmen and artists themselves. He was the first to receive Teacher of the Year two years in a row. Gary retired after over thirty years of employment. He offered his talents throughout the Arkadelphia community. He received commissions for mural paintings over baptismal pools for four churches (Mt. Morriah Baptist Church, Macedonia Baptist Church, Harmony Sparkman Baptist Church, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Gary was a life-long member at Pleasant Hill A.M.E. Church (Joan). While there, he was the Music Director, church School Superintendent, Class Teacher, Steward, Trustee, President of the local Lay organization, and a member of the Conference and Episcopal Sons of Allen.

At a very young age, Gary taught himself how to play the piano. If he heard it, he could play it. When a hymn was introduced at an annual conference, Mrs. Estelle Forte, Mrs. Callie Langley, the late Mrs. Helen Dansby, and others would play it one or two times, and he would catch on. He used his talent in churches all over Clark County, at Pleasant Hill A.M.E. Benton, and other churches across the state.

Gary was a member of the 12th Episcopal District choir, the West Arkansas Annual Conference (WAC) choir, the Camden/El Dorado District choir, and he participated in music workshops at Pilgrim Rest A.M.E. Monticello (East Arkansas Conference). He served as the historiographer/statistician for the 12th Episcopal Lay organization for ten years. This year, Gary also received the Episcopal Lay Person of the Year, representing the WAC.

He has held offices of Assistant Secretary, and more recently assistant treasurer for the Peake High School Alumni. He has been instrumental in decorating the Community Family Enrichment Center (CFED) for some events held there. He also volunteered there. He has been instrumental in placing Peake memorabilia in the display cases and on the walls of Peake Rosenwald. This year he was inducted into the (Peake) Buffaloes Inc. Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Clark County Retired Teachers Association, and a commissioner on the Board of the Arkadelphia Housing Authority.

By nature, Gary had the most positive outlook on life! Even through the pain he endured with his illness, he would always talk to his family about his future plans. Gary had a strong faith in God and was prepared to receive his reward for being such a faithful servant of the Lord. God called him home on August 8, 2025, at Twin Rivers Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. Gary was proceeded in death by his grandparents Mary Jane Jones, Avery Knox, and Fred D. Hunter Sr., Janie Newburn Hunter; his parents Fred D. Hunter Jr. and Seneva Knox Hunter, and his sister, Alice Marie Hunter.

Left to cherish his precious memories are his siblings: Jeremiah (Doris) Williams, Moreno Valley, CA; Ida Tramble, Arkadelphia, AR; Harold (Thelma) Hunter, Little Rock, AR; Edna (Daryl) Ford, Arkadelphia, AR; Michael (Barbara) Hunter, Arkadelphia, AR; Arlisha Hunter, Dallas, TX; Nieces: Adrienne (Shawn) Jackson Sr. Fort Worth, TX; Tracye Davis, Malvern, AR; Jeannette Williams, Las Vegas, NV; Justina Williams, Gambrills, Maryland; Faith (Charles) Brantley, Houston, TX; Kimberly Hunter, Arkadelphia, AR. Nephews: Allan (Eboni) Ford, Moor Park, CA; Otis (Tabitha) Tramble, Jr. Conway, SC; Harold (Natalie) Hunter, Jr., Mansfield, TX; Evan (Amanda) Hunter, Mayflower, AR; Jonathan (Maude) Hunter, Washington, D.C., Eric (Toria) July, Frisco, TX; Ron Hunter, Arkadelphia, AR. He also leaves 6 grandnieces and 8 grandnephews; Aunts Lois (Henry) McClanahan, San Jose, CA; Zelma Knox and Geneva King, Arkadelphia, AR; Flora Thompson, North Little Rock, AR; Kathelean Knox, Dallas, TX; Mary Knox, Orange, TX; Zella Knox, Little Rock, AR; Martha (Lester) Newborn, Malvern, AR; numerous Cousins; god-daughter Kerrah Charles; god-son Pheran Jamar Davis; Special friends: Annie Tate, Gracie and Albert Neal, Levi Garland, Ricky McClinton, Alvin (Karen) Turner, Barbara McCloud Howell, Jeanie Fallin, Patricia Wright, Patricia Roberts, Krishna Hudson, Maude & Ralph Nelson, Johnny Booker; Neighbors: Peggy, Daphne Williams, JoAnn Bullock, and his Pleasant Hill A.M.E. (Joan and Benton) church families, community of work colleagues, and dear friends.

~Submitted by the Family