Joseph “Joe” James Hunt, 80, Gardner, Kansas, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great papa, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022 at his home.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas 66030 (913) 856-7111. Military Honors will open the visitation at 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner VFW Scholarship Fund.  Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

Joe was born May 18, 1942 in San Diego, California to Glenn Arthur and Mary Bryaneitta (Halpin) Hunt.  He grew up in Lake City, Colorado.  Joe lived in Eudora, Kansas before moving to Gardner in 1970. On November 14, 1970, Joe married Cheryl Denise Fry in Miami, Oklahoma. He was a United States Army Veteran, and a lifetime member of the VFW, Post # 11234, Gardner, Kansas.  Joe worked in excavation as a heavy equipment operator for McCorkendale Construction before retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Lake City Presbyterian Church.  Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, carving pumpkins with his family, trips to Colorado, fishing and deer hunting.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister Sharon Dugger.  He is survived by his wife Sherry of the home; daughters: Lori (Roger) Smith, Topeka, Kansas, Lisa (Eric) Wimmer, Gardner, Kansas and Melinda (John) Kase, Eudora, Kansas; grandchildren: Kayla, Dustin, Tyler and Matthew and great-grandchildren: Laykin, Paislynn, Sawyer and Everhett (Rhett), extended family and many, many friends.