Dr. James Gordon Hunter Jr.

1933 - 2024

Dr. James Gordon Hunter, Jr

September 21, 1933 - August 15, 2024

Dr. James Gordon Hunter, Jr, 90, of Lynchburg, Virginia, died peacefully at Westminster Canterbury on Thursday, August 15th. Jim was the loving husband of Nancy Gordon Burch Hunter for 66 years. Born September 21, 1933 in Richlands, Virginia, to James Gordon Hunter and Olivia Katherine Gillespie, he was their second child and only son. He was close with many cousins on both sides of his family. Jim graduated from Virginia Episcopal School in 1951. He earned his BA in English Literature from the University of Virginia in 1955, taking science courses with an eye toward the practice of medicine. While at the University he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as well as to the Raven Society. He served as President of his Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and lived on the Lawn his fourth year. His summer jobs on the farm or the railroad were physically challenging. Ultimately, he served others through "the life of the mind."

Jim chose to attend Johns Hopkins Medical School, graduating in 1959. In 1963 Jim completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident, followed by two years as a Navy physician in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1965 he went into private practice in Internal Medicine in Waynesboro, VA. In 1968 he began a second residency, in Radiology, at the University of Virginia. In 1974, Jim joined Radiology Consultants as the fifth physician of the group. He practiced until his retirement in 1996. Jim served as chief Resident in two different specialties at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was a fellow in the American College of Radiology, a member of the Radiological Society of North America and served one term as President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Radiology. Additionally, Jim enjoyed his membership in the Society of the Cincinnati, his service on the vestry and search committee of his church, and organizations such as the Horticulture Society, Men of the World Wars, his Book Club and "Club Lola" lunch buddies. His interests included planting and tending his garden; fishing, golf, bridge, pool and ping pong, and training his dogs, especially Heidi. He also loved his cats. Jim's gentle demeanor and thoughtfulness endeared him to his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. He was dedicated to giving the highest degree of care to each patient or medical situation and enjoyed collaborating to solve problems with fellow physicians. His calm nature, humility and wit, endeared him to neighbors, friends and family. He could quote poetry, especially Robert Louis Stevenson, Rudyard Kipling and Ogden Nash. Jim had a superb personal library, filled with great thinkers of the western world and classical architecture. He enjoyed reading William Faulkner, Tom Wolfe, William F. Buckley and historians such as David McCullough.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, his five children, Jim (Mary Beth); Ann (Andy McLean); Billy; John (Lisa) and David (Lilly), 13 adoring grandchildren, Margaret Ann (Nick), Olivia (Sam), Ellie, Mary Blair, Sam, Lizzie, Will, Jeb, Brooks, Ford, Anna Kate, Georgia and James, and three great-grandchildren, Mary Frances, Liam and Elsie. His favorite blessing at meals ended with "and make us ever mindful of the needs of others" which describes Jim's deep interest in other people. He combined protestant Anglicanism, with pragmatism and scientific learning. He loved "goodness, beauty and Truth", hallmarks of the curriculum at Hunter Classical Christian School in Richmond, founded in his honor.

The family would like to give special thanks to those who helped Jim and Nancy at Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg. Your kindness and love will never be forgotten.

Memorial contributions may be made to Virginia Episcopal School; The Virginia Council (www.thevirginiacouncil.org); The Jefferson Council (www.thejeffersoncouncil.org).