Jesse Hunter

SFC (Ret) Jesse Hunter passed away peacefully on February 12, 2025, in Davenport, FL.  He was born to Robert A. Hunter Sr. and Mary Alice (Dixon) Hunter on October 24, 1952, in Middletown, CT.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970.  Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) during the Vietnam era along with his brother Robert A. Hunter Jr.  After his active duty tour with the USMC he joined the Connecticut Army National Guard serving 23 years (1980-2003) with C Company 726th Maintenance Battalion and A Company FSB retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  

Jesse was a proud lifelong resident of Middletown.  He worked at Pratt & Whitney for 19 years, he then joined the City of Middletown Parks & Rec Department in 1994 and retiring from there in 2016.  

Between his retirement and his relocation to Florida in 2022 he happily provided daycare services for his many grandchildren.  Because of his involvement coaching for both the Middletown Youth Soccer and Prof. Gallitto Basketball programs he was a father figure and mentor to many beyond his own children. He loved kids and he loved teaching about life through sports. 

Jesse is survived by his loving wife Debbie (King), his sons Jesse Jr. (Amber) and Gary (Natalia), and seven grandchildren (Jayden, Rylynn, Katia, Jordyn, Roman, Lucas and Mateo)  He is also survived by three brothers, Kevin (Dana), Gary (Shirley) and Brian (Laurie): three sisters Candy, Linda (George) and Sandra (Larry); sisters in-law Linda, Sandy (Dan) and brother in-law Bill (Jan); and four aunts.  He also was uncle, great uncle, godfather and cousin to many.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, three brothers (James, Robert Jr. and William), a sister-in-law (Pam), two brothers-in-law (King and Michael), two uncles and six aunts.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 25th at 11:00 am at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown, CT.  Burial will follow in Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded.  Family and friends may call before the service from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jesse's name to Wounded Warriors Projects, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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