Richard Wayne Hunter
Richard Wayne Hunter, age 81, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at his home in Waconia, MN.
Dick was born Nov. 24, 1934, on the family farm northeast of La Plata, MO, to Cleo and Ruth Hunter. He attended elementary at the Banner School and graduated from La Plata High School in 1952. On Aug. 3, 1952, he was united in marriage with Colleene (Hagar) Hunter, until her death on Sept. 6, 2007. The couple initially made their home in La Plata and owned Hunter Hardware and TV. In 1964, the family moved to Kansas City, where Dick was employed with Trans World Airlines, until his retirement from management in 1993.
In retirement, the couple returned to their rural roots and built their retirement home on acreage in Cowgill. There they were active members of the Mirabile Community Church and traveled across the country with Colleene’s sister, Peggy and her husband Bill Loe of La Plata. In 2012, Dick moved to the Auburn Meadows Assisted Living Community in Waconia, MN. While there, he became an avid miniature dollhouse builder, winning first prize for one of his dollhouses at the Carver County Fair and honorable mention in the Minnesota State Fair.
Dick is survived by four sons, Douglas Lee of Chanhassen, MN, Mark Alan of Portland, OR, Timothy Lance of Kansas City, and John Thomas (Tom) of Lawson; seventeen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one brother, Don Hunter of La Plata; a niece, nephew and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; two sons, David Wayne and Mathew Lynn; and a sister, Ann Sue Hunter.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., with a brief funeral immediately following on Sunday, March 20, at the Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata. Interment will follow at the La Plata Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Friends for La Plata Preservation.
