Hunt, Eugene Allen

Eugene Allen Hunt, 31, of Fairfield, died June 18, 2012, at Des Moines Iowa Veterans Hospice. A Ceremony of Life will be held July 21, 2012, in Kentucky around a bonfire at the home of his godparents.

Survivors include his wife, Allison Hunt; parents, Margaret Wimmer Johnson (John) and Alllen Hunt (Sara); brothers, Richard and Robert Hunt and Greg Phipps (Shiraz); and sisters, Leslie Povall (Stuart) and Julie Phipps (Zachary Miller).

Other survivors include his grandmother, Carole Cooper; stepsiblings, Danielle Gearhart (Mike), Joshua Johnson (Jodi) and James Johnson (Amy); his beloved godparents. David and Lynn Phipps; and numerous nieces, a nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Hunt; paternal grandparents; and maternal grandfather.

Gene was born Oct. 1, 1980, in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Kentucky and obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky. He entered the U.S. Army in 2003 following Sept. 11. He attained the rank of Captain. He served in Afghanistan, Qutar and was the second Army officer to serve on the USS Enterprise in the Persian Gulf. with “Operation Enduring Freedom.” Additionally, he was stationed in Germany and England with temporary duty in Israel.

After his military service, he moved to Fairfield in 2009 where he was awarded his Master's degree in teaching from Maharishi University of Management in 2012 and most outstanding student in the Education Department.

Gene married Allison Elizabeth Honeycutt on April 13, 2012, in Fairfield.

Gene was a great man who had a transformative influence on many people. He was a man, overflowing with heart, determination and strength. He was an adventurer, traveling far and wide and experiencing life to the fullest. He was an avid climber, hiker and skier. He was a campfire musician and story teller. He was an accomplished writer and lover of history. He had thirst for knowledge, food and new experiences. He always strove to improve himself as a person with continuing success. He was a tender and devoted husband, a loving and supportive son, and an honest and caring friend and brother; and most of all he was a gentleman to the end.

As Gene said recently “Have fun and enjoy life. Life is good, life is simple, Keep it that way.”

Published in The Gazette July 3, 2012.