Hunter Van Bogart

HUNTER VAN BOGART

Cedar Rapids

Hunter Lee Van Bogart, 23, passed away due to injuries suffered in an accident on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Chandler, Ariz.

He was born Jan. 14, 1994, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Cathleen (Troy) Lewis of Leavenworth, Kan., and Damon (Sandra) Van Bogart of Cedar Rapids.

Hunter is survived by his parents; three brothers, Cody (Jonathan) Van Bogart of Las Vegas, Nev., Brett Lewis of Chandler and Michael Long of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Marissa Lewis of Chandler; his grandparents, Ruthann Van Bogart of Cedar Rapids, Zoretta Hernandez of Las Vegas, John and Barbara Lewis of Waterloo and Perry and Becky Arnold of Webster City; his beloved pets, Chloe and Disco; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Dennis Van Bogart; his maternal grandfather, Jesse G. Hernandez Jr.; and an uncle, Jesse G. Hernandez III.

Hunter enjoyed playing pranks on everyone, competing on XBOX Live Battlefield 1, painting, woodworking, listening to different types and eras of music and traveling.

All who knew Hunter loved him. His smile would light up a room and he always was up for "spontaneous" adventures. Hunter was a 2012 graduate of Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, N.C.

Hunter was a proud member of the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated from Army Basic Training on Aug. 11, 2011, at Fort Jackson, S.C. After graduating from high school, Hunter trained for and completed his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a 68E, dental technician, on Sept. 19, 2012, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Throughout the next two years, he was promoted twice, earning the rank of specialist. He proudly wore the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Prior to that, Hunter was a cadet in the Junior ROTC program at Leavenworth High School, where he was a member of the prestigious Raiders team, as well as the Drill and Ceremony team. He also attended St. John's Military Academy in Salina, Kan., from March through May 2010. During his short time there, he earned the Best Company Drill Ribbon, Honor Company Ribbon, Leadership, Education and Training (LET) Service Ribbon, Bronze Lamp, and a JROTC award.

Losing Hunter has been extremely difficult for his family, but they are comforted by and thankful for the outpouring of condolences from the numerous friends and family Hunter's life touched. It's not how long he was with us, but the impact he had on us while he was alive. Hunter has gone home and now is at peace in the arms of our Lord.

Services are pending with R.L. Leintz Funeral Home, Leavenworth, Kan.