Clyde D. Hunt passed away at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, with the love of his family and under the watchful care of the VA Medical staff in Marion.
Clyde was born March 6, 1933, on a homestead in Jackson County, to the parents of Paul and Sophia Gay (Derickson) Hunt.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, along with his two brothers, Gerald and Donald.
He married Donna Sue Howell on Oct. 26, 1957. Together they shared 53 years of marriage until her passing in January 2011. To their union was born, Brent Lee and Sheila Marie Hunt.
Clyde was a retired ironworker and spent many years walking beams of steel high above the ground. In his early years, he worked in Chicago on skyscrapers. When he returned home to Southern Illinois, he helped construct many of the buildings on the SIU campus and road and bridges throughout the area. After his retirement, he worked part-time at the corporate office for Southern Illinois Healthcare running errands, setting up facilities for events, and cleaning offices. He often said that was the best job he ever had. He made numerous friends at SIH and considered them all his second family.
Clyde attended Grand Avenue Christian Church of Carbondale on a regular basis. He was passionate about his love for the Lord and was a joyful man of faith. Some of his last words were “God said you do your best, and he will do the rest.” That is truly how he lived his life. He was a giving man and always helped others through various charities, his kind words, and silent actions. He lived by example and the fruit of his spirit is evident in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and rarely missed a game, loved to garden and share the bounty, and coon hunt up until his late 50s. Without a doubt, he loved and adored his “kids” and “grandkids” the most; especially watching Jessica play sports, long talks with Justin on the phone, and spending time with Nathan and his son. He gave them everything – life lessons, words of encouragement, love and support.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Donna; son, Brent; brothers, Donald and Gerald Hunt; and sister, Marcia Hagler. Celebrating his life and love are his remaining family, including his faithful and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and David Colombo of Carbondale; devoted grandsons, Justin and wife, Christine, of Boerne, Texas; Nathan Colombo of Carbondale; and special granddaughter, Jessica Hunt; loving daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Hunt, both of Brookport; great-grandchildren, Mya and Leeya Hunt, and Mason Colombo. Clyde never new a stranger and leaves behind many dear friends, including Evy and Charlie McCaughan, Amos and Violet Covington, and Gordon and Joyce Butler of Carbondale.
The family requests memorials be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or to Grand Avenue Christian Church in Carbondale.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale. Burial with full military rites will immediately follow in Wolf Creek Cemetery, with Pastor Jon Hughes officiating.
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