John Wesley Hunter

John was born in Moore, Oklahoma, and had the biggest, most gentle, lumberjack for a babysitter, whose name was Babe. After moving to Bristow, Oklahoma at the age of five, and inheriting his uncle’s drum set, John began playing the drums at his grandfather’s church. He was a talented gymnast and could perform a string of backflips down the block. At the age of eight, He learned to hunt deer, turkey, and wild hogs. He loved animals and tried to bring home every stray dog he found. After receiving his first bike, on his first birthday, he fell in love with motorcycles. John's Papa and Uncle Wes would often give him motorcycle rides. Boy Scouts, Church, and Hunting took up a lot of his childhood. He learned many skills in Boy Scouts that would serve him well throughout life. He rescued His Great-Grandfather Robert Maxell Tedder, a disabled veteran from a housefire at the age of twelve (1993), earning him a lifesaving merit badge and an honorary dinner with Creek County and Tulsa County Chapter of Boy Scouts and Scout Masters along with Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage.

He loved helping the elderly. Helping his grandparents brought him great joy. He loved to ride and do tricks on his bicycle. When he was thirteen, he was riding down historic downtown Bristow’s main street and crashed into an antique store flowerpot, destroying it. He got up and walked into that store and admitted to the owner what he had done. She handed him a broom to clean up his mess and then hired him to sweep up every day after school. He looked out for her for the rest of her life. He fell in love and married at the age of eighteen, then became a Father in 2006. Addyson and then Laura were his pride and joy. He spent his career as a Plumbers Journeyman He also held a minister license with Universal Life Church Ministries. He was a member of the United Pentecostal Church.

His life was full of family and friends but he always had a soft spot for the elderly, and helpless people around him. He was known to give his boots and coat away many times. He ministered to the homeless, often giving away his own things. He was kind and gentle to almost everyone he met, never met a stranger, and had the biggest, most gentle heart this world has ever known. To most people, he looked rough and tough with many scars across his body but had the most trustworthy eyes. He loved to ride in the wind and storms. He found peace while flying in the wind. He never ran from a challenge. He was loyal to all who loved him and protective of his loved ones. He never said goodbye, just, "talk to you soon". He would end our conversation with “I carry you in my heart always”

He is preceded in death by his father, John Hunter; grandmother Mary Lee Hawthorne; uncle, Nathaniel Hawthorne; cousin, Michael Edward Shumar; and best friend, John Mack Hoover. He is survived by children, Addyson Leigh Hunter; and Laura Lynn Hunter; mother, Teresa Helen Zvibleman; grandfather, Reverend Leo Oran Hawthorne; siblings, David Oran Hunter; Mary Rebecca Hunter; aunts and uncles, Virginia(Tom) Misciasci; Donny(Angie) Flippo; also numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

I CARRY YOU IN MY HEART ALWAYS