Richard "Dick" Hunter

Richard "Dick" Hunter, 101, of Bell, Florida, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 30, 2026, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lake City after a brief illness. Affectionately known as "Dick" of "Dicky" was born in Detroit on January 27, 1925, to the late John Hunter & Josephine Grabinski Hunter and was 9 of 10 siblings. His Dad was a fire fighter in Detroit; and Dick Worked in factories and miscellaneous shops till enlisting in the military for World War II as a fire engineer. When he left the military, he brought his mother a Home in Detroit; and he and brother-in-law opened many sod farms there throughout the 50’s. He sold his sod farm to Detroit Metro Airport for them to expand before he Moved to Mantua, Ohio in 1963. After leaving Detroit and selling his share of Business to Brother-in-law; he began opening Sod Farms to service Cleveland and surrounding areas, where he employed many young men in high school or local youth. He attempted partial retirement; and then purchased a mobile home park, where he let elder tenants live at original amounts set till he sold to move to Florida. He moved to Bell to be close to his Nephew, Thomas Richarson (who spent a majority of his life with his uncle) and be closer to many other family members and friends in the area. Enjoyed and Loved the Bell area until his death. Dick never swore, and was a kind soul who never had a bad word about anyone ever. Our world could use many more people like him at this time and forever! He was a good man of 101, who struggled to understand the world as it is today, he will truly be missed by all!

He was married Louise Bradley on February 2, 1948, who preceded him in Death, with whom he had four children, Linda Bunting of Newberry, FL, David Hunter of Bell, Florida, Joseph Hunter of Mantua, Ohio who preceded him in death in 2015, and James Hunter of Bell. He also had many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor Dick's life will be conducted on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the New Hope Baptist Church in Bell, 4470 NW CR 236, Bell, FL, 32619, with Pastor Billy Philman officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church for a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M. prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.