Donald W. Hunt Sr.

GREENVILLE - Dr. Donald Wayne Hunt Sr., 70, of Greenville, devoted husband and father, passed away Sunday, October 31, 2010, after a period of declining health. He was married to Sue, the love of his life for 47 years.

Don was born January 11, 1940, at home in Gaffney, SC. He grew up from humble beginnings on a working cotton farm. Don graduated from Gaffney High School in 1958, where he played on the championship teams of 1955, 1956 and 1957. He was coached by his lifetime mentor, Robert Prevatte. Don was elected to the 1957 Charity Rose Bowl, now known as the Shrine Bowl, in Lancaster, SC. He attended Presbyterian College in 1958 on a football scholarship. From 1959 to 1960 Don worked for Daniel Construction Co. in Kingsport, TN, as a pipefitter. He then attended the University of South Carolina where he majored in biology. Don was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he was nominated for the National Balfour Undergraduate of the Year award. He was also an inductee of the Blue Key and Kappa Sigma Kappa Honor service societies. In addition, Don worked as a senate page at the State House, and as an award-winning salesman for Wearever Pots and Pans. He was elected senior class president, and cadet colonel of the Arnold Air Society. Don finished with honors at the University of South Carolina in 1963 and attended the Medical College of Virginia, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors in 1967. During the summers he worked as a driver for Overnight Trucking as well as a lab technician for Phillip Morris. Don was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He received his degree in dental surgery from the MCV Graduate Orthodontic Residency and moved to Greenville, SC, where he opened his orthodontic practice on April 1, 1969.

Don practiced orthodontics for 41 years and served countless patients from all over the South. He held active memberships in the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Southern Association of Orthodontists, South Carolina Association of Orthodontists, South Carolina Dental Association, Piedmont Dental Society and the Greenville County Dental Society.

Don's time outside the office included an active love of golf and vintage car restoration, and his beautiful 1960s Ford Mustangs and 1939 and 1940s Ford Roadster and Coupes graced the roads. He enjoyed breakfast with close friends, lunch with his Best of Friends buddies, and Saturday mornings working with his car guys. His other best friends were his beloved Bassett Hounds, Hampton and Earle. A longtime sufferer of South Carolina football, he was most enthusiastic of this year's season and ecstatic over their win on Saturday against the University of Tennessee.

Don lived his life with integrity and character. His words, though few, were his bond. He never turned away a child with an orthodontic need and yet no financial means. Where Don saw a need there was help. Many a bill for a family with little means was silently paid with no desire for acknowledgement. He had great intellect and married it with great common sense. He was the ultimate complex simple-man. He is dearly missed and loved.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Wayne Brackett Hunt and Eunice Allen Hunt, and his brother, Ronnie Brackett Hunt of Gaffney, SC.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Susan Anderson Hunt of the home; his daughter, Smyre Anderson Hunt; his sons, Dr. Donald W. Hunt Jr. and wife, Vicky Lynne Hunt, and Clayton Brackett Hunt, all of Greenville; and his three grandchildren, John-Walker Brackett Hunt, William Anderson Hunt and Ryan Susan Hunt; his sister, Melissa Hunt Sarratt and husband, Danny Sarratt; his nephew, Daniel Ray Sarratt and wife, Carye, and niece, Mamie Ann Sarratt Medley and husband, Tracy, all of Gaffney, SC.

Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 4, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bob Jones officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Mackey Mortuary.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to The Boy's Home of the South, 10612 Augusta Road, Belton, SC 29627.

The family is at the home.

The obituary and online guest register is at www.mackeymortuary.com. The Mackey Mortuary 311 Century Drive.