Joe Hunt Remembered at Tuesday Funeral Service

Services for Joe. B Hunt were held at Glen Meadows Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday; the short service exemplified and honored the man that many in the community loved and respected.

Tears were shed as with any ordinary funeral, but Hunt’s funeral overflowed with hope. Hope that was evident in the faces of those who loved him and knew the man he was.

“There’s tears, there’s grief, there’s memories; this afternoon we will set him to rest,” said Senior Pastor of Glen Meadows Baptist Church, Mack Roller, in the opening. “But don’t be mistaken for one moment, he’s in that place that Jesus prepared for him.”

The eulogy was given by George Frasier, a long-time friend and fellow law enforcement offficer that knew Hunt from the beginning of both their careers.

“Somehow I don’t think Joe B. Hunt is taking this as serious as we are,” Frasier said to a room full of quiet laughter, “he’s too busy rejoicing, praising God, and all of this doesn’t mean anything.”

Fraiser then told the story of how he and Hunt met in 1967 while training to be highway patrol, up until they were both retired Texas Rangers in San Angelo, Texas.

He explained that Hunt was happy to be home, “Joe loved San Angelo, he loved the people of San Angelo.”

Frasier also described the time that Hunt was hospitalized for a massive heart attack in 2004.

“We prayed for Joe, needless to say, in the emergency room I learned later, that they jotted down his time of death three times.” said Frasier. “We were upstairs praying most of the night, and Joe came through.”

This event changed Hunt’s life, and for the next nine years Hunt testified to anyone who would listen to him.

“God had something more for Joe to do,” explained Fraiser, “he wasn’t through with him yet.”

“I got the call that Joe had passed on him, and the first thing that entered my mind was a scripture,” said Frasier before reading 2 Timothy 4:6-9 with tears in his eyes.

2 Timothy 4:6-9 reads, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8. in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9. Make every effort to come to me soon.”

Fraiser encouraged the attendees to be diligent and come quickly and to finish the race, fight the good fight, and keep the faith to honor Joe Hunt.

Hunt didn’t want a funeral service, instead he wanted the gospel preached.

Mack Roller preached the gospel to Hunt’s friends and family, exactly the way Hunt wanted.

“He crossed all boundaries to make sure that justice was served and people were helped,” explained Alma Camarillo, a friend of the Hunt family, “justice was important to him.”

Like Camarillo, Joe Hunt was important to a lot of people, and the people showed how important he was to them by filling the Glen Meadows Baptist Church almost to the brim.

Hunt will live on in the memories of the friends and family who love him, leaving a fine legacy for San Angelo.