Don Hunt

   
Don Charles Hunt, age 74, of Montwell, passed away August 16, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family after a long illness.
He was born March 18, 1943, in Roosevelt, to George Pete and Mary Dean Madsen Hunt. He married Karma Woodward on April 15, 1968, and they later divorced.  Later he met Linda Joyce Butler, his first and best sober decision, while on a trip to Yakima, Washington, with an Alcoholics Anonymous Group.  They were married May 4, 1998, in Elko, Nevada.  
Don was a very hard worker, and left junior high school to pursue an almost life-long career of racing horses as a jockey.  He rode until he broke his neck in a racing accident in 1994.  During that time he rode on about half of the tracks in the United States and was a jockey for many notable people, one being Lucille Ball.  He then drove a water truck for LinMar Trucking, a cement truck for Tri County Concrete, and worked at Cedaridge Academy.  Alcoholics Anonymous changed his life and he spent the last 25 years as a sponsor helping to change the lives of others.  He received his 25 year chip and it seemed like he was always making a sobriety birthday cake for someone.  
He enjoyed farming, his horses, fishing, golfing, and bowling – winning several trophies.  His passion was still horse-racing and he watched endless hours on TV.  
He was accepting of everyone and was not judgmental.  His greatest love and joy was his family, who will miss him dearly.
Don is survived by his wife, Linda, Montwell; children, Randy Hunt (Paula Powell), West Jordan; Victoria (Allan) Bumgarner, Roosevelt; Trever Mac Hunt, Montwell; step-children, Jennifer (Scott) Qualley, Yakima, WA; Jill Taylor, Montwell; Joyce (Jason) Cordato, Evanston; 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; siblings, Carolyn (Clell) Woodward, Hazel Jensen, Robert (Glenda) Hunt, all of Montwell; John Hunt, Kearns; Tom (Lacey) Hunt, Apple Valley; Maria Hunt Richardson, Saratoga Springs, Dan (Wendy) Hunt, West Valley City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Neola LDS Chapel.  There will be a viewing on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and from 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Burial will be in the Cedarview Cemetery.  
A special thanks to Canyon Services Hospice and their staff, Chris Lucero, Kristen, Eve, Janice, and Lance.