Garrett “Gary” Bowman Hunter

Garrett “Gary” Bowman Hunter passed away peacefully on Friday, November 3 in Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 81.

Gary was born on March 24, 1942 in Linton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Garrett Guy Hunter and Deloris Almira Bowman and his cherished brother, Rodney Hunter, who died in an Air Force training mission in 1976.

Gary was a kind, generous and family-oriented man. He never knew a stranger and was actively involved in the communities in which he lived. He was a deacon and leader at Pfafftown Christian Church. He was involved with the YMCA and spent his retirement volunteering at the Yates Mill Pond in Apex.

Gary grew up in a loving household in Lyons. He was surrounded by an extended family of Bowmans and Hunters. At an early age, his height and athleticism propelled him to great success as a basketball player, first for the Lyons and Marco Braves and later for the University of Louisville. The movie “Hoosiers” paints a picture of his formative years.

In 1960, his family moved to Floyds Knob where his father worked for Public Service of Indiana.

Gary was recruited to play basketball by numerous colleges and universities before landing at the University of Louisville. It was here that he obtained an undergraduate degree and his MBA.

It was during college that he met the love of his life, Susan Carol Wilkinson. The two shared more than 60 years of marriage and raised three children, Laura Anne Hunter, Gregory (Ginny) Bowman Hunter and Timothy (Cathy) Bowman Hunter. Gary and Susan delighted in their six grandchildren, Ben, Greg, Zach, Thomas, Bobby and Madison Grace.

After graduating, Gary worked for International Harvester and Ford Motor Company before beginning a long career in corrugated packaging. Gary was known as a compassionate leader and earned several awards for productivity and safety. His career took him to Tennessee, Winston-Salem and eventually Wake County.

Gary and Susan saw their children through college and graduate degrees, marriages and grandchildren. Closer to retirement, they moved to the Raleigh area where they ultimately retired. Before and during retirement, they traveled the world.

Gary had a particular interest in Ford Model A and Model T cars, owning one of each. He treasured time with his family and was dedicated to his children. Gary was also an avid reader and fan of sports, history and music.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 6th at Salem Funeral Home on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem, followed by a reception at Pfafftown Christian Church. A private family burial will take place.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Rodney Bowman Hunter Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering, https://give.louisville.edu/s/1157/19/fdn/home.aspx or the Cancer Fund, https://cancerfund.com/. Online condolences may be made at www.salemfh.com.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers that provided support, Danielle and Lara, the staff at Rex Medical Hospital, Dr. Cormac O’Donovan and Dr. Predrag Gligorovic of WFBMC.