Scott Hunter Sr.

Thomas Scott Hunter, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Jonesboro, Arkansas on June 10, 2020. Mr. Hunter lived most of his life in Arkansas and Oklahoma, as a steadfast Sooner fan, well-respected lawyer, avid golfer, and faithful member of First United Methodist Church.

Mr. Hunter was born on May 30, 1936, in Newport, Arkansas to a farming family. His father, Fletcher Hunter, farmed in Jackson County until the family relocated to Oklahoma City, where he worked for Tinker Air Force Base. His mother, Bessye (Appleby) Hunter, was a devoted mother and housewife. Both preceded Mr. Hunter in death. Also preceding him in death was his older brother, William Fletcher (Buddy) Hunter to whom he looked up and with whom he enjoyed talking Oklahoma Sooner football.

Mr. Hunter is survived by his beloved son, favorite golfing buddy, and law partner, Thomas Scott (Scotty) Hunter, Jr., Scotty’s life partner, Michelle Hix, and her two sons, Justin and Austin. Also, surviving Mr. Hunter is his devoted and beloved little sister, Miriam Moore and brother-in-law, Jeff Moore (Batesville), his two step-children, Mike DeLoache, and Lisa Melton Jackson (Jonesboro), and cherished nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.

A 1954 graduate of Shawnee High School (Oklahoma), Mr. Hunter served in the the United States Air Force until 1957. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1961 and from OU Law School in 1964. He became licensed to practice law in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and then joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent. Eventually, he would relocate to Jonesboro, Arkansas to enter private practice, and marry the late Dr. Frances (Downing) Hunter.

He remained an esteemed general practice lawyer for seventeen years at which time he was elected to serve the Second Judicial District of Arkansas as Prosecuting Attorney. After a decade as Prosecutor, Mr. Hunter returned to private practice where he remained until his retirement in 2018. He mentored his stepson, Mike DeLoache, when he began his practice in 1988, and welcomed Scott Hunter, Jr. into the Hunter Law Firm in 2000. A member since 1970, he served as President of the Jonesboro Country Club in 1976.

Due to concerns over COVID-19, the family has decided to honor his life with a small, private family graveside service at the Hunter Family Cemetery on Tuesday, June 16 ^th . Mr. Hunter’s nephew, Buddy Hunter, Adult Ministries Pastor at Second Baptist Church’s Pearland, Texas campus, will be officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are Mr. Hunter’s best friend and golfing partner of 50 years, Dr. Ken Lovern; friend and colleague who he deeply appreciated and admired, Bill Bristow; church buddy, Jim Scurlock; valued paralegal of 40 years, Bonnie Rusher; sisters-in-law, Dr. Suzanne Downing Gibbard and Debbie Downing; and brother-in-law, Terrell Downing.

Arrangements by Emerson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Dr. Frances Downing Hunter and Thomas Scott Hunter, Sr. Scholarship Fund c/o Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202 or online at www.arcf.org/HunterScholarship .