Dr. John Andrew Hunter, I

Dr. John Andrew Hunter I of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on December 8, 2020, surrounded by family and love.

John was born in Kirksville, MO, on January 1, 1943, and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He attended Cuyahoga Falls High School where he excelled in academics and sports (golf and wrestling). He attended The Ohio State University for undergraduate and Dental School where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and Psi Omega fraternities. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Dental Officer for two years in Fort Gordon, GA. After the army, John moved to Cincinnati to complete his residency and met his wife, Charlene.  They started their family and lived in and around the Cincinnati area for the next 3 decades, all while maintaining his oral surgery practice until his retirement. 

During this time they would develop life-long relationships with friends through work, travel and sports, particularly tennis. John had many great friends that would come and play at their court in Harrison, Ohio, and tales of antics both on-and off-court abound today.

His love of nature kept him outdoors, tending to his flowers, gardens and landscaping. In winter months, John would be found in his workshop creating gorgeous stained-glass windows.  He had a very inquisitive mind and loved great conversation, folk music, Corvettes, and his pets. An ardent Buckeye fan, he was a longtime season ticket holder for football and enjoyed his time back on campus. John was an avid traveler and loved exploring the beautiful world, most notably our National Parks. Family vacations were captured with a camera in-hand, seeking the perfect spot to watch sunsets, with requisite slide shows to follow at home. Always known for being in a pleasant mood, many will miss his calm demeanor, charisma, quick wit and ever-present smile. Upon retirement, John and his wife moved to Hilton Head Island, SC, where he was able to enjoy golf almost year-round.

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Charlene (née Waggal); their daughter Stephanie Bamonte, her husband Anthony and granddaughter Maristella and grandson Tazio of Hilton Head Island, SC; son John Andrew II “Andy” and granddaughter Bella McCane of Guilford, IN; sister Nancy (Jack) Baker of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Chandler, AZ; numerous nieces and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Harold “Hal” and Blanche Hunter.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky, PO Box 393, Florence, KY, 41022.

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