Ray Hunter, 80, of Nampa died Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at his home of natural causes. He was born in 1935, at his grandmother's home in Ucon, Idaho. He was the third son of Devirl and Edna Hunter. In his youth he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and while still in his teens married a girl he had known from high school. Together they had two daughters, Charlotte and Evalie. In 1976 he met and married Mary Ann and began the 39 year journey of parenting eight children, his two and her six. While always respectfully acknowledging the birth parent Ray and Mary Ann agreed at the beginning there would be no step-children or step-parents in their marriage, and became Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma to all of their blended family. He deeply loved each child unconditionally and was always determined to do what was in their best interest. Ray came to the Nampa area in the early 1960's and his first job was for the City of Nampa Fire Dept. He had been a dedicated fire fighter for 17 years when he was injured while fighting the apartment fire on second street south and had to retire. Not being able to serve the public any longer in that capacity he decided to make his part time job into a life-long occupation and opened his own small engine repair shop. Hunter's Small Engine Repair was in business for 25 years. Ray was very much a "People Person" and from the very affluent to the less fortunate tried to serve the public with honesty and integrity. Health issues finally forced him to close shop and go into full time retirement in 2013. Ray loved nothing better than to hunt and fish. The great outdoors was his play ground. In summer he would gather all his family and load up the camper for a weekend of camping and fishing. As a child Charlotte loved fishing with her Dad and in later years always hoped he would be well enough that the two of them could go again. In winter it was hunting with his boys. At first it was birds and then the big game. Ray and his son Lary would almost always bring in the meat for salami and jerky to be given to friends and family at Christmas time. When he could no longer hunt and his children were involved with their own families, Ray enjoyed going fishing with his friend Butch. Ray was preceded in death by his mother and father; two brothers; two daughters Cheryl and most recently Evalie. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; sons Robert (Donette), of Ogden, Utah, Lary (Lisa) of Nampa; four daughters; Charlotte of Kuna, Barbara (Evan) of Nampa, Heather of Nampa and Tessa (Colin) of Kuna; a brother, Bill (Dorothy) of Firth, Idaho; 25 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren. The casket bearers will be the eldest son of each of their children: Shawn, Mike, Brian, Jordan, Brady and Stefan. The Hunter family would like to thank the nursing staff of St. Luke's Hospital, Meridian and Terry of Hearts for Hospice for the compassionate care given to Ray in the last days of his life. We would also especially like to thank both Dr. Michael Hedemark and Dr. Andrew Chai for the many years of expert care given when Ray's medical problems became such a challenge. His fight is over. He is at peace! Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd in Nampa. 467-7300 Condolences may be expressed at zeyerfuneralchapel.com Service: Saturday, September 26, 2015 11:00 a.m. Zeyer Funeral Chapel 83 N Midland Blvd Nampa, Idaho
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