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Dick Hunsaker, our loving Father, Grandfather, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Neighbor, and Friend passed away November 26, 2021, in Mesquite, Nevada, just four days before his 96th birthday.
He was born November 30, 1925, in Delta, Utah, to Francis and Emma Camp Hunsaker. He attended schools in Ely, Nevada, and Delta, Utah.
Dick was a WWII veteran. After hot-wiring his brother Rob’s car, and spending the night in the Ely, Nevada, jail for speeding and having no driver’s license, he joined the Merchant Marines, in 1943, at the age of 17. His brother, Rob, joined at the same time. Dick served in the military until 1946.
After returning from WWII, Dick met Jaqueline Lois Bottomfield. They married February 4, 1949, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dick’s long-time friend, Shirl Pace, married Jackie’s sister, Millie, that same day, in Las Vegas, as well.
Dick and Jackie were the parents of three children: Patricia, Sherri, and Mont. Jackie and Dick later divorced.
Dick married Carol Johns Gull, January 23, 1986. He loved Carol’s children: Dennis, Deanna, Melvin, Anita, and Brad. Dick was a wonderful father and grandfather who dearly loved each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and they adored him. He was dedicated to his family and found joy serving them and delighted in their achievements.
He worked for Johnson Tractor in Spanish Fork, Utah, as Parts Manager, for many joyful years. Anyone who needed parts knew he was the man to see. He could fix anything and wanted to take apart everything to see how it worked. Even in the later years of his life, he wanted to tinker with the equipment that Hearts and Comfort Hospice brought to assist him.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he loved his fellow High Priest Quorum members, serving them and others in a leadership position. He served in the Provo Utah Temple as an ordinance worker for over 10 years. He loved working in the temple. He also served as a stake missionary, Cubmaster, and Den leader.
Dick enjoyed oil painting for a number of years, leaving his family with some awesome paintings. He participated in several art shows, with his brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Elsie. He also enjoyed bow hunting for many years, even making his own arrows. He taught Mont and Sherri archery, which allowed him to spend quality time with them. He loved camping and fishing and took them fishing often in Oak City Canyon as well as areas near and around Diamond Fork Canyon. In the past three and a half years, he liked side-by-side rides in the desert and the surrounding mountains. He loved riding his Rascal electric cart through the neighborhoods, taking pictures of flowers, landscapes, and anything else that caught his eye. He would stop to visit and make new friends wherever he went. Dick loved an adventure and was always taking out-of-the-way roads just to see where they went. He owned and rode a motorcycle for a number of years, having some wildly fun adventures during that time.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Sherri (Randy) Jensen; and his daughter-in law, Becky; his Gull children: Dennis (Ann), Deanna (Bob) McKell, Melvin (Sherrie), Anita, and Brad (Traci). Also survived by his brother, Leon (Darlie) Hunsaker; and his sisters, Ronilla (Mac) Cook and Renee (Blaine) Parry; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Emma; and father, Francis; his wives: Jaqueline and Carol; his daughter, Patricia Hunsaker; and his sons: Mont Hunsaker, and Melvin Gull; as well as a son-in-law, Michael Ainge; and his brothers: Robert, Leland, and Howard; and sisters: Emma Faye and Vera.
A viewing, followed by funeral services, will both be held Monday, December 6, 2021, at the Kolob 1st Ward Church, 1230 South 500 East, Springville, Utah 84663. The viewing will be from 9:30 -10:30 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Springville Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah 84663
Dick’s family would like to thank his home health and hospice caregivers in Elk Ridge, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada for the care, service, and kindness shown to him in the last months of his life.
3 Condolences for Dick Hunsaker
Condolences(3)
Debbie wood says
December 7, 2021 at 3:56 amDennis and Ann, so sorry for your loss. He was such a kind man. Whenever we would see him at family gatherings, he made us welcome. Seeing him at the temple, he would make sure he shook our hands and thanked us for coming to the temple. I am sure he will be missed by many.
Russ Finlinson says
December 7, 2021 at 5:20 pmSo sorry to hear about Dick’s death. Had been sending Dick a Post 135 newsletter for several years. He would have been one of our Posts’s 3 remaining WWII Vets. Never got to meet him. Wish I would have had the pleasure.
Russ Finlinson
Post 135 Adjutant
Delta, Ut
Suzanne says
February 18, 2022 at 9:02 pmI met Dick at the credit union where I worked and he had an account. We later learned that we lived in the same Stake. I loved seeing him at Stake Conference. I would often see Dick sitting at Carol’s headstone when I was walking through the cemetary. We had many visits and he told me many things about his life. Dick is a sweet and gentle man and has a special place in my heart. No doubt he is missed by his loving family. I’ll never forget one time that he came into the credit union. I helped him back out to his car and we had a conversation about whether or not he should still be driving. He assured me that he knew he needed to go slow but that he was still a good driver. When we got to his car, I noticed a big dent in the bumper and asked him if he was sure that he was still a good driver. He laughed and told me that he bought the car like that. We had a good laugh together….he is truly a great one!