Herman Hunter

Herman Hunter, 83, of Mason, WV passed away peacefully and entered his eternal rest on Sunday, September 2, 2023 following an extended illness.

Born May 7, 1940, in Boone County, WV, he was the son of the late Ramie Lawrence Hunter and Zelma Baisden Hunter. He attended Van High School, Van, WV, where he was a football standout for the Bulldogs and beloved by his classmates.

After leaving Van, Herman moved to South Dakota with his sister and brother-in-law, where he worked as a fire tower watchman with the U.S. Forest Service. He returned to Boone County in the early 1960s, working various jobs as a handyman and tending to the family farm with his Dad. In 1967, Herman joined the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad as a track laborer, before moving into bridge and building maintenance. It was in that role with the railroad in 1972 that he worked in the massive recovery efforts following the devastating Buffalo Creek flood.

Herman tracked thousands of miles throughout the southern West Virginia coalfields working with the railroad, meeting many friends along the way. He also spent time working in the CSX Huntington Shop, completing his railroad career with more than 30 years of service in 2002.

Herman loved bluegrass music and he loved to cook. He had a laugh and wit that you would never forget, and he never met a stranger. Herman was a beloved uncle, the family historian, and he had so many great stories that he enjoyed sharing with his many friends and loved ones. His presence in the daily lives of his family will be missed greatly.

Herman is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathie Hunter; daughter Jennie Hunter of Meigs County, OH, grandson Dakota Carnahan of Alexandria, LA, and granddaughter Maddie Carnahan of Mason, WV; step-daughter April Kearns of Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter Brittany Hammond of Huntington, WV, brother Homer Hunter of Stony Bottom, WV, sisters-in-law Barbara Hunter of Millwood, WV and Elsie Hunter of Vienna, WV, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and many, many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Henry (Mary), Harry, Hansel (Carolyn), and Hershel "Doc" Hunter; sisters Roberta (Harley) Harbison and Sue Maison.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Handley Funeral Home, 439 Phipps Ave., Danville, WV, with George Horner officiating. Graveside services will follow at Memory Gardens on Low Gap Low Road, Madison, WV.

Visiting hours will be held from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Herman’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org, by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 35105, or by phone at 800-805-5856.

A registry is available at www.handleyfh.com