Charles Hunt

(From Parker Mortuary)

Charles Ervin Hunt, age 73, of Joplin, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Westgate at Wildwood Ranch in Joplin.

Charles, son of the late Forrest and Lena (Dorman) Hunt, was born on September 13, 1949, in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born and reared in Winston-Salem attending Ardmore Elementary, Dalton Jr. High School, and RJ Reynolds High School. He grew up as a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Charles enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1966. He completed his basic training at Fort Ord in Marina, CA and then served in Korea and Germany before serving two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was with the 25th Infantry in the Southern Highland from September 1968 until September of 1969, then returning in March of 1970 as a door gunner on helicopters with the 16th Aviation Combat Group, during the Cambodian Assault until March of 1971. He was a decorated veteran having received multiple Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with V device, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, along with other medals and ribbons. 

After honorably serving his country in the war, he returned to the United States and remained until he chose to leave the Army in the fall of 1973. He then returned to Winston-Salem where he struggled with PTSD and civilian life but managed to work through the memories and move forward. 

Charles stayed a bachelor his entire life and eventually entered the long-haul trucking industry to which he loved and, in his terms, was married to. Trucking brought him to Joplin, MO where he spent the rest of his days driving his truck.

Survivors include his brother, Mitchell Hunt, and his wife, Cynthia, of Greensboro, NC; nephew, Ryan L. Hunt, and his wife, Melissa, of Apex, NC; one niece, Megan H. Stevens, and her husband, Bryan, of Greensboro, NC.; and one step-nephew, Richard M. Krol, Jr., of Greensboro, NC.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratefulness to the staff for the wonderful care given to Charles during his residence at Westgate at Wildwood Ranch and to the Chaplin’s and medical personnel of Three Rivers Hospice for the comfort and compassion shown to Charles in his final days.

Private family services with military honors will be held at a later date in North Carolina.

Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.