Donnie Ray Hunter passed away on Friday, June 14,2013. He was born in Austin, on June 7, 1935, to James Warren Hunter and Muriel Preece Hunter. He was a graduate of Travis High School in Austin. He married Norma Hammack in January 1958 and that same year, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he became a military policeman. This was the beginning of a 33 year career in law enforcement. Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to Austin where he joined the University of Texas Police Department. He subsequently worked for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Hays County Sheriff’s Department, Chief of Security at the Texas State Treasury Department and retired as a Texas Capitol police officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He also worked several years for Calhoun Smith Texaco Distributing in Austin.
A longtime resident of Buda, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge #800 for over 30 years. After retirement, he and his family relocated to Lockhart, where he achieved his dream of owning land to raise cattle and horses. An avid horseman, he competed in rodeos in his younger days and enjoyed breaking, working with and trading horses most of his life. He also loved fixing cars and reselling them.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by daughters Cheryl Hunter West & husband Mark, Cindy Hunter, Carol Hunter Fluker & husband J.R. and son Donnie Ray Hunter II, grandchildren Brandi Evans, Holly Evans, Travis Stalnauker, Lauren Rae West, Jonathan Hunter, Kristen West, Emily Knight Hunter, Colton West, Thomas Knight Hunter, Robert Heck, Elizabeth Heck, Carson Fluker, Donnie Ray Hunter III and great grandson Colin Ray Craven. He also leaves behind several sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and numerous other extended family and friends. Donnie was predeceased by his parents, sister Lois Harrison, brothers Carroll Hunter, Richard “Red” Hunter, James W. Hunter II, Arlo Hunter and nephews David Hunter and Clinton Hunter.
The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Monday, June 17th, 2013 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle, where Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 18th at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle,followed by burial at Live Oak Cemetery.
