John R. Hunt was born on September 30, 1939, in Clarendon, North Carolina. In the early 1940s, John's family (parents Lemuel and Lillian Hunt, sister Sibyl, and grandparents George and Blanche Hunt) lived in Valdosta, GA, for several years before moving to Orlando, FL. John attended Kaley Elementary, Grand Avenue Elementary, Cherokee Jr. High, and Wm. R. Boone High School. His musical talent developed in his teen years as he sang in the Boone High Chorale and his church choir with his sister Sibyl as his accompanist.

In February of 1959, John was introduced to Patsy Ruth Lightfoot by his future brother-in-law. John and Patsy were married on August 27, 1959. John attended the University of Florida to pursue a degree in choral music and was accepted into their traveling choir as a freshman. However, John's education was cut short when his family responsibilities increased with the birth of their first child. Later with the influence of his evangelical preacher grandfather, John and Patsy, and their now two young sons, Tod and Randy, moved to Graceville, FL, to resume his music education at Graceville Bible College and pursue a career in church music as a choir director.

Sadly, John contracted hepatitis just a few months into his studies and the family had to return to Orlando during John's extended recovery. When his

health improved, he applied to the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) and was hired on September 2, 1963. John attended The National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, MD, and was a charter graduate of their Executive Fire Officer program, an achievement that less than 5% ever complete. In 1979 John received his Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL. Over a 23-year span, John worked his way up to Deputy Chief at OFD. In October, 1986, John retired from OFD to take the Fire Chief's job with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department. He continued as Chief of OCFRD until his retirement in 1989.

In addition to his commitment to the Fire Service, John's faith in Jesus Christ was a commitment that included every aspect of his life. He used his musical ability to share the Gospel at churches throughout Central Florida and was choir director for First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, Laurel Hills Baptist Church, and Holden Heights Baptist Church. John is preceded in death by Patsy Ruth Hunt, his wife for over 51 years. John is survived by his wife Barbara Grace, his sister Sibyl Hull (Bill); sons Tod (Valerie), and Randy (Jennifer); daughter Alecia Spence (Rick); grandchildren Christina Diaz, Brittany Payne, Joseph Hunt, Gabriel Hunt, Caleb Spence, Cassandra Spence and great-grandchildren DJ and Dora Diaz, and Jade Payne. John married Barbara Grace Moore in 2011. Barbara Grace was with him when he passed from this life into eternity with Christ. John traded his earthly body for a heavenly body at Alto Memory Care Center, Tavares, FL, on August 6, 2026.

A Celebration of Life Service for Chief John R. Hunt, with full Fire Department Honors assisted by Honor Guard personnel from OFD, OCFRD & The District Fire Department; will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:30AM in the Henry Chapel at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32805. FD personnel are encouraged to be in uniform.

Attendees are invited to a reception with light refreshments hosted by the family afterwards at the church.

John's Celebration of Life will be live streamed at https://tinyurl.com/4xrpvj8f