Thomas Eugene "Bud" Hunter

HUNTER WINSTON-SALEM - Thomas Eugene "Bud" Hunter passed away at his home on Sunday, Novem-ber 8, 2009 after a period of declining health. Mr. Hunter was born on Liberty Street in Old Salem on August 4, 1925 to Lonnie Hampton and Annie Baker Hunter. He graduated from Gray High School and served with the U.S. Army in the European theater during World War II. He crossed the English Channel as part of the invasion force in June of 1944 and participated in the liberation of Paris, receiving two bronze stars for combat action. After returning from the war, Mr. Hunter graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS degree and later did post-graduate work at UNCG where he earned a masters degree. He was employed as a teacher at Griffith Consolidated School and later with Booke and Co. (now Aon) from which he retired in 1987 with 28 years of service. He also taught at Winston-Salem Business College and Forsyth Technical Community College for a number of years. A lifelong Moravian, Mr. Hunter was a member of Trinity, Home, and Konnoak Hills congregations during his lifetime. Always an active church member, he served faithfully as a choir and band member, elder, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, sacristan and in many other functions, as well as working as a missionary in St. Croix after hurricane Hugo in 1989. One of his proudest accomplishments was playing in the Moravian Easter band for 74 years, missing only two years when he was away in the service. Mr. Hunter sang in The Messiah for 25 years. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross, the Downtown Ministry, and the Candle Tea in Old Salem for several years. Mr. Hunter was an avid gardener and loved to cook. He was well known for his love of baking and kept his friends and neighbors well stocked with home grown vegetables and fresh baked bread. Mr. Hunter was preceded in death by two sisters, Lonnie Hunter Frye and Sarah Hunter Sorensen. He is survived by a brother, William F. Hunter and wife Betty of Winston-Salem, a son, Gene Hunter and wife Laura of Matthews, NC and a daughter, Shirley Hunter Womack and husband Bill of Wallburg, NC. He also leaves behind six beloved grand-children, Cason Hunter, Chris Hunter, Sarah Hunter, Katherine Hunter, Melissa Womack Webb and David Womack, along with a number of devoted nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church with Rev. John Rights officiating. Burial will follow at God's Acre in Old Salem. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the organ fund at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church, 3401 Konnoak Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or to the charity of the donor's choice. On line condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.