Ross Wayne Hunter of Huntsville died peacefully in hospice care on Monday, September 14, 2020. Ross was born in White Springs, Florida to the late Annie Keene and the late Joseph Hunter. Ross graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Business and Botany. He attended FSU on the GI Bill and served in the Philippines in the US Navy during World War II. Ross enjoyed a long, successful career at Marshall Space Flight Center as a Contract Officer. He worked on many projects including the purchase of the Main Space Shuttle engines before retiring in 1994. One of his proudest work moments was being awarded the Silver Snoopy Award for outstanding performance. This award is presented to the recipient by an astronaut for contributing to flight safety and mission success.
Ross deeply loved his family and friends. One of his favorite things to do was spend time with his beloved granddaughters, Ashlyn and Callie. Ross also loved to travel to visit his family in Florida with his niece Carolyn (Jim). He enjoyed having lunch and taking day trips with friends. Ross was a loving husband to his late wife, Barbara Morris Hunter. He selflessly and tirelessly cared for Barbara during her thirteen-year battle with breast cancer. His family meant the world to him as he so lovingly told them time and time again.
Ross was a member of First United Methodist Church. He loved working in his yard, gardening, and volunteering at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens where he enjoyed working in the daylily garden. He took up bike riding in his seventies and even competed in several Rocket City Triathlons with his son-in-law and granddaughters.
Ross is preceded in death by his parents, Annie Ginn Keene and Joseph Long Hunter, his wife, Barbara Morris Hunter, his sister, Nora Mae Dennard, and his brother, Broward Hunter. Ross is survived by his daughter, Lisa Smith (Brett) and granddaughters, Callie Smith and Ashlyn Smith, his brother, Ray Hunter (Georgia) and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be Friday, Sept. 18th, at 10:00 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The American Cancer Society, Caring for Life Hospice, Huntsville Botanical Gardens or a charitable organization of your choice.
