Guy L. Hunter, Jr.

August 04, 1944 - December 16, 2021

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Obituary For Guy L. Hunter, Jr.

N. Topsail Beach, NC

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Guy Leslie Hunter Jr., 77, peacefully passed away with his beloved wife Mary by his side at his home on December 16, 2021. A resident of Topsail Island, Guy was born in Moultrie, Georgia on August 8, 1944 to Guy Leslie and Bessie Lairsey Hunter.

Over the course of Hunter’s 32 year Marine Corps career, he was the first ever Marine CW05, was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, and Expert Rifle and Pistol awards. While serving in Kuwait, Chief Warrant Officer Hunter was captured by the enemy and became an Iraqi Prisoner of War.

In addition to his outstanding contributions in service to his country, Guy was a true swashbuckler, a wizard at Ace Deuce, and the life of every party. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his sage advice, gregarious nature, and sly wit.

Guy is survived by his loving wife Mary of forty-five years; daughters, Laura Reeves and Lily Deffenbaugh; son, William Hunter; grandchildren Everett, Charlotte, and Hunter Reeves, and Hunter, Bear, Ayden, and Rogue Deffenbaugh.

The family will receive friends, Tuesday, December 21, 2021, from 5-7:00 PM, at Johnson Funeral Home, 2685 Henderson Drive. Online condolences may be made at https://johnsonfhnc.com/. The life of Guy Leslie Hunter Jr. will be celebrated at New River Air Station Chapel 236 Curtis Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540 on Wednesday, December 22, at 0800. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in honor of Guy to the Jacksonville, North Carolina chapter, of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Johnson Funeral Homes is honored to assist the Hunter Family.

Services

21 Dec

Visitation

05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Johnson Funeral Home - Jacksonville 2685 Henderson Drive Jacksonville, NC 28546 Get Directions »
22 Dec

Funeral Service

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

New River Air Station Chapel 236 Curtis Road Jacksonville, NC 28540 Get Directions »
22 Dec

Interment

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery 110 Montford Landing Road Jacksonville, NC 28540 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • March 08, 2024

    Sad to hear this. I met Guy at the 29 Palms EAF. I gave him a weather briefing before his OV-10 mission...he was a genuinely nice person, and easy to talk to. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace, sir, and Semper Fi!

  • January 24, 2022

    My dearest husband Guy, You have slipped away from me and I am so sorrowful. However you have given me a life time (46years) of adventure, joy, and love. I am reflecting every night on our memories. You're one in a million for sure. Lucky for me that our paths crossed on November 2, 1975. Just like you said on our anniversary December 11, 2022 "I wish I could do it all again"! I repeat that message to you! May our dear Lord blessings be with you. Know that I am waiting to join you in heaven with eternal love. Mary XX

  • December 28, 2021

    Dear Mary, We will always love our Uncle Guy. A Great American, a true Patriot and a wonderful and dear friend. And funny! Love and Blessings, ken and Carol

  • December 22, 2021

    Dear Mary & family, Sincere condolences to you all on the loss of Guy. I remember Mary & Guy as a loving, well matched couple. Both so personable & welcoming to guests who came to visit. I will keep u all in my prayers. 🙏🇺🇸🙏

  • December 21, 2021

    Mary, It is with great sadness to learn of Guy's death. Kathy and I send you and your family our condolences. We have wonderful memories of the many times we were together here in Maryland celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays/events. Guy was a wonderful man, a true Patriot and a fun-loving person. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him. I only wish that we would have had the opportunity to see the two of you in recent years, but life events have occurred which did not allow that to happen. Please know that you always had a special place in our hearts. Roger and Kathy Stoy

  • December 21, 2021

    Deepest sympathy to you Mary & family. We have lost a true American Hero. Sue Ramsay & Steve Gunn. ❤

  • December 21, 2021

    Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Guy. He was truly a gentle giant who had a positive impact on the lives of so many people throughout his life. Mary, Steve and I visited you and Guy in Jacksonville just before Christmas in 2003 or 2004 and we had our granddaughter Casey with us. She saw your piano and tinkered on it. The next year she began piano lessons and music has been a big part of her life since then. She also remembers winning the cookie jar in the raffle at the Christmas party we all went to at the VFW during our visit. Such fond memories. He will truly be missed.

  • December 21, 2021

    My sincerest condolences to the Hunter family. I have only the fondest memories of Guy. I first met him back my earliest days with VMO-2 and MAWTS in the mid 70's. He was always the most popular guy in the room. Vivacious, friendly, loyal...a great Marine, an even better person...a man's man! Great memories of our time spent in Yuma and Okinawa. Flew our share together...as good a crew member as it gets. Rolled many a dice and tipped more than a few at the Futenma O'Club...actually tipped way too many! Remember him as good with that dice! I'll always be able to say a had the privilege to fly with and know Guy Hunter...the "Great White"...a Marine legend, great American, and best of the best! Rest In Peace my friend! Tom Davis

  • December 21, 2021

    Liz and I are deeply saddened and sorry for your loss. I loved Uncle Guy and will never meet anyone like him again. I feel honored to have known him. He was larger than life. I am sure he is in a better place now wearing his beautiful smile.

  • December 20, 2021

    I met Great White in Mar 79 in Oki. I last visited him and Mary in Jacksonville in Jul 98. In between we downed a few brews together, ran quite a few miles together, and logged a few hours in the OV. He was the quintessential Marine. Nothing was too hard, nothing got him down, and there was nothing he would not do for his family, his country, or the MC. He was a remarkable blend of experience, dedication, common sense, and capability, which explains why he was an instructor at MAWTS and STRIKE U. It is my honor to have served with him and for him to consider me his friend. My cot was next to Guy's during Desert Storm. In the tent he was always reading and he would share stories of his son Will teasing his daughter Lilly. Guy was the best teller of jokes, bar none, and he could keep all in stitches. He was in fact a whiz at Ace Deuce, and I recall him and the Rockwell tech Rep in Oki engaged in many heated, fast-paced contests. It was hard to tell who won; that was not the objective, but they had a great time playing. His was a life well-lived. Rest in peace, Great White.

  • December 20, 2021

    My sincere condolences of your family's loss. Guy "Great White" Hunter was a great friend of my father, and our family. Guy is remembered fondly for his warm spirit.

  • December 20, 2021

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Always so interesting and friendly to have a conversation with. I know he will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

  • December 20, 2021

    Steve and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

  • December 19, 2021

    Semper Fi Great White. Always enjoyed flying and deploying with you. Fair winds and following seas. Rest in peace.

  • December 19, 2021

    GW was a squadron mate, brother Marine and true friend for 42 years. We shared many experiences that will be with me forever. I will miss him greatly. Via con Dios

  • December 19, 2021

    Deepest condolences to you. CW05 Hunter was a true officer and a gentleman that inspired those around him to be better. Not just better Marines, but better people, the best version of yourself. He was the 1st Warrant Officer I met in the Marines at VMO2. He had that rare quality of leadership that could inspire you and at the same time immediately put you at easy. He set the tone for his followers and was respected by his peers and superiors alike. He was a true Southern Gentleman of the 1st order. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. It was a distinct honor to have served with him. Fair Winds and Following Seas Sir!!

  • December 19, 2021

    Mary, I'm so glad that you and Guy had 45 years together.... indeed, a perfect match! Sending warm memories. Your Criminal Justice Teacher. Pat Thorn

  • December 19, 2021

    There are not enough words to describe a real hero and commited patriot. May he rest in peace with his Company of Marines. With respect and love for his amazing family. He will be remembered at the Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter here in Melbourne FL at the Christmas gathering of veterans. Cheri M Hawes RVN veteran

  • December 19, 2021

    I was so sorry to hear of Guy's passing. He was such a kind and loving man. Always made me feel welcomed on the many visits to his families home. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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