John Hunsley

1960 - 2017

Hunsley, John
1960 - 2017
John M. Hunsley, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017 after a long and courageous battle against Cystic Fibrosis. He was born March 13, 1960 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. John grew up with an absolute zest for life and relished recounting adventures of the years he spent living in New Mexico, Hawaii, and later West Virginia and Ohio. John loved to make people laugh. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his sweet boyish charm, quick wit, and quirky sense of humor, along with his unparalleled kindness and compassion for others. John touched the lives of people he met, wherever he went- all while continuing to battle CF. In turn, John was unreservedly beloved by many. He graduated from Turpin High School and later went on to attend Marshall University. In 1997, John graduated from Marshall University, earning his Bachelor's of Arts. He completed the first year of his Master's degree in Counseling before leaving to begin his career at the Social Security Administration. The SSA office staff of Ironton and Worthington were a second family to John. He was extremely proud of the service he provided to his claimants over his 18 year career. John was also an accomplished drummer and performed professionally in many bands across Southern Ohio and West Virginia during his early adulthood. He was an avid motorcyclist and spent countless hours riding on his beloved Triumph Speedmaster with his brothers-in-law. John helped organize COFF, a volunteer group for Cystic Fibrosis families in West Virginia, as well as several CF walks and bike rides. He was driven to raise funds, awareness, and support for those living with his disease. John was a CF camp counselor for many years. His greatest joy in life was the laughter and love he shared with the camp kids and subsequent lifelong friendships he developed with them. John is survived by his loving spouse, Sharon (Shari); sister, Carolyn (Gigi) Boyle (Patrick); stepmother, Berna Hunsley; step-sisters, Michelle Hoversten (Bill) and Rebecca Walker (Rev. Cynthia Black); half-sisters, Tara Cain (Lee) and Chamron Martin; niece, Amanda Tartaglia (Anthony); uncle, Walter Hunsley; aunt, Merry Dikeman; as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara G. Walker, father George M. Hunsley and step-father Rev. Dennis R. Walker. He was previously married to Linda Bradley-Hunsley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name payable to the Adult CF Center Fund, University of Cincinnati Foundation, PO Box 19970, Cincinnati OH 45219-0970. A celebration of life service will be announced on John's Facebook page.