Earle Leslie Hunter

Earle L. Hunter passed away peacefully on April 27th, 2014, from Alzheimer’s-related conditions. A proud Alaska native, he was born in Juneau in November 1929. He attended Oregon State University, graduated from University of Oregon, and served as a medic in Korea from 1951-1953. He married Doreen (Dawson) Hunter in January, 1954 and moved to Chicago to attend the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 1957. Upon graduation, he returned to Juneau to practice optometry until he moved to McMinnville, Oregon in 1960. He opened the McMinnville Vision Clinic and practiced optometry there as well as taught optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove. In 1975, he moved to St Louis to begin his career with the American Optometric Association, culminating as its Executive Director, a position he retired from in 1998. He also served as the Special Assistant to the Dean at the University of Missouri St Louis School of Optometry following his retirement from the American Optometric Association. Earle’s passion was music, playing trombone in his early years, and any piano he could find from High School on, and culminating with expertise playing Xylophones and Marimbas. He loved anything from the Big Band era, and could play -- or fake -- just about any standard from that time. If you spent any time with Earle, chances are you got to hear him play a set or two, and perhaps even sing! Earle and Doreen loved to travel, and were blessed to be able to travel to China, Europe, and make many trips to Hawaii. For a number of years after retiring, Earle also gave much of his time to the Hunger Ministry at the Church of St. Michael and St. George in St Louis. Survivors include Earle’s wife of 60 years, Doreen; daughter Barbara Hunter Mahan (Mike) of Fairfax, Virginia and son, James of St Louis. He also left behind 2 grandchildren (James Mahan and Sarah Mahan Speakmon) and 1 great-granddaughter (Kallie Speakmon). He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Leslie (2003), and his parents, Earle L. Hunter Jr and Mary (“Teddy”) Hunter of Juneau. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date at St. Michael and George Episcopal Church Dates and Times Pending. PDF Printable Version

Earle Leslie Hunter

November 23, 1929 - April 27, 2014