Edwin James Hunter

Edwin James Hunter

Edwin James Hunter, better known as Buzz, slipped quietly away in his sleep, with no fanfare, as the Hunter men tend to do, on the morning of April 3, 2023.  Buzz was born to Cecil and Dorothy Hunter while they were living in Thorp, Washington on January 15, 1933.  He was the second oldest in a family with four children: Dick Hunter, Mary Brothers and Don Hunter.   Theirs was a busy life which included farming and helping on extended family ranches in the Washington area. Schooling happened in Selleck and Enumclaw.  Buzz worked as a helper on ranches in Eastern Washington doing what was needed to help support his family.  In his early teen years, Buzz got into rodeo, and earned some belt buckles and a few bucks. When he was nearing 16, he went to work logging in the nearby woods.  He loved the mountains, trees and wildlife he encountered, which then led him to start trapping.  Many stories of his times hunting and trapping were told around a cup of coffee.  The ‘pet’ cougar who came and went and played with Buzz.  The assorted wild creatures he helped through the years, which we experienced, made his life, and his families much richer.   
In 1952, during a school break, Buzz met Sally. She was warned of his bad-boy ways by others in the community, but that didn’t deter her.  Sally is one to make up her own mind, and she did.  He joined the Air Force in March of 1953. Buzz proposed and they were married while she was still in her senior year of high school, just before he was to be shipped out from Great Falls, Montana.  Sally borrowed some money from the egg lady in Selleck, then with her Mom, hopped a bus and traveled to Great Falls, where Buzz and Sally tied the knot.  Buzz was shipped out a couple days later to England, and Sally headed back to Selleck to finish school.  
In 1955, Buzz and Sally moved to California for the Air Force, living in the Mojave area in a little house. They moved to Lancaster where they had their first daughter Elaine.  In 1957 the time came to move back to Washington State, to Seattle, where they had their first son, Glenn. Soon after they moved to Selleck, then back to Seattle and settled into life after being in the Air Force.  Buzz worked in the woods logging, then for Olympic Prefab housing in Alaska for a period of time, and also flew small planes working for Kenmore Air. He often did side hustles to keep the money coming in, as well as hunting and fishing to keep food on the table.  The family moved to a home in Mountlake Terrace around 1960, where they had their second daughter, Leanne.  
Buzz was hired for the City of Seattle as a tree topper and high rigger, a perfect job for his skill set.  During his off time, he spent it teaching his kids hunting, fishing and survival. Their second son, David was born in 1962, then in 1965 their third son, Paul joined the family.  The Hunter family lived in Mountlake Terrace until 1978, when Buzz retired from the City of Seattle.  
They moved to Granite Falls, Washington along the Canyon Creek River.  Perfect for fishing, the area was also great for hunting deer and bear.  In 1983 Buzz and Sally, moved to Chelan, Washington to a 42-acre property up Union Valley. They purchased this property sight unseen in the mid 1960’s, planning to use it for retirement.  That time finally arrived.  Buzz and Sally moved into a small trailer while they built their off-grid log home. They carved out a new life, figuring out ways to do things, using what they had.  They took on odd jobs to keep the bills paid, and settled into life, enjoying the quiet and the wildlife that were constantly around. Once, while Buzz was checking on the well at the bottom part of the property, he stepped next to a tree and felt as if he was being watched.  As he slowly turned, there was a cougar, standing there, sizing him up.  After a bit of a staring match, the cougar slinked off.  There were many opportunities to watch the deer and bear that frequented the area.
Buzz also loved the sky.  Watching the clouds and aircraft that flew through.  Studying it became a favorite pastime.  He often would tell Sally about the different military aircraft that came through.  
Buzz and Sally celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on January 12, 2023 at their favorite restaurant in Chelan, the Apple Cup.  On January 15, Buzz turned 90.  At his last doctor appointment, he told the nurse, with a smirk, that he would consider quitting smoking when he turned 91.  Buzz was able to drive until he left us, which was a blessing.  He had gotten a pedicure the week before and was planning on a haircut the following week.  Sally commented that he went to Heaven with clean toes.
Buzz was private concerning his walk with God.  Around 1973 he took some time to speak with a pastor friend, and at that time accepted Jesus as his personal Savoir and was baptized in a private ceremony.  There was no fanfare here on earth, but in Heaven there was a big celebration.
Buzz is survived by his wife, Sally Hunter, his five children, Elaine Ferreira, Glenn (Gem) Hunter, Leanne (Larry) Dupuis, David Hunter and Paul Hunter.   
His 17 grandchildren:  Jayme, Bernadette, James, Joshua, Nathaniel, Janea, Martine, Holly, Ellissa, Ken, Jasmine, Cheyanne, Jaid, Zach, Jason, Christina and Ryan.
And his 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Dorothy Hunter, his brother Dick Hunter, brother-in-law, Joel Scholz, sister-in-law, Gay Scholz and a grandson, Dakota Hunter.
Buzz - Dad, Grampa and Great-Grampa-will be missed.
A Memorial Service to honor Buzz will be held at the Chelan Berean Baptist Church, 515 E. Woodin Ave., Chelan ,WA. on April 29, 2023 at 2 p.m. There will be a coffee time following the service.  Feel free to wear flannel and jeans.