Stuart Hunter

Stuart McCartney Hunter, 84, of Jefferson City, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022. He was born on September 18, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Stuart Mahaffey Hunter and Dolly Dorothy Hunter. Stuart was united in marriage on April 6, 1968, at Bethel Fellowship Church in Fortuna, Mo., to Vernola Kay Lehman, who survives at the home. He was a 1957 graduate of Jefferson City High School. Stuart was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Hunter Brothers Construction Company, owned by his father and uncles; Callaway Nuclear Plant; and Jefferson Asphalt, where he retired in 2000. He was past Grand Master of the New Bloomfield Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Jefferson Masonic Lodge #14 AF & AM, The York Rite, and Capital Shrine Club the Moolah Temple. Stuart was instrumental to the incorporation of the city of Holts Summit in 1973. He was the first mayor of Holts Summit, serving two terms. He later served as a Holts Summit alderman in the 1990s. He was a charter member of the Holts Summit Lions Club. He helped to form the Holts Summit volunteer fire department and was a member of it. He was devoted to the community and doing what he thought was right, regardless of whether it was the easy and popular thing to do. He was a past longtime member of Union Hill Baptist Church and became a member of Wesley United Methodist Church when they moved to Jefferson City. Stuart enjoyed hunting, fishing, canoeing, and the outdoors. He was a fan of Jefferson City Jays football, Mizzou sports, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with Vernola during retirement. He enjoyed socializing with friends and discussing current events at diners and restaurants. Most of all, he was proud of his family and loved spending time with them, especially with his beloved grandchildren. He was a good friend, a loyal son, a devoted husband, a caring father, and a loving grandfather. He lived his life with integrity. Survivors include: his loving wife of 54 years, Vernola; a son, Scott (Wendy) Hunter, Kansas City, Mo.; two grandchildren, Maxwell Hunter and Scarlett Hunter; two brothers-in-law, Milton Lehman and Kent Rich; sister-in-law, Sheryl Lehman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stuart and Dorothy Hunter; his brothers-in-law, Donald Lehman and Kenneth Lehman; and sisters-in-law, Jo Ann Rich, Gloria Lehman, and Reta Lehman. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 9:45 a.m. Monday, November 28, 2022, under the Auspices of the Jefferson Lodge #43 AF & AM in the Freeman Chapel. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 28, 2022, with a funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend L.P. Cook officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Bethel Fellowship Church Cemetery near Latham, Mo. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com