Alvin Thomas Hunter

Alvin Thomas Hunter, "AL" was born the second son to Mary Adeline (Brammer) and Clarence Hunter in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on October 25, 1928. Alvin departed this world after a long battle with cancer on Friday, December 5th, 2009. Al"™s father was working in Amarillo, Texas when he contracted pneumonia and died suddenly. Alvin was only an infant and had a one-year-old brother at that time. Mary, his mother, returned to Ft. Smith to be with her family. Shortly after, she married a local widower, William Snow, and had 2 other sons. Alvin grew up on a small farm in southeastern Oklahoma with his three brothers. Some of his regular chores were milking cows; pulling cotton and cutting wood. A favorite activity was walking in the quiet Oklahoma woods, squirrel hunting. Al joined the US Navy at seventeen and served from 1946 to 1948. He attained the rank of seamen first class and served as a yeoman on board two ships, the USS Mt. Olympus and the USS Cambria. When honorably discharged, he returned to Oklahoma to marry Lita Marie Gilpin and had four outstanding children. Both Al and Lita believed that a good example was worth a thousand words. In turbulent times, Al and Lita worked together to inspire responsibility, laughter and independence. Alvin graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in May 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting. As a young boy on the farm, he was the family"™s record keeper, so it was a natural extension to be involved with numbers as his profession. He began with Sylvania Electric as a cost accountant. After only a short period, he moved to Amerada-Hess as an internal auditor. This job required him to make four trips to Calgary, Canada, each year, each lasting one-month each time. In 1964 he passed the national exam to become a certified public accountant. In this professional position, he began a long career in public and corporate accounting. One of his positions was chief financial officer for Jernigan Oil & Gas Operations. In over forty years of his private practice, Al was known to many as the "Silver Fox". He had superb diplomatic abilities and was able to be the middleman between many arguing factions. Alvin sincerely felt that he always should do a thorough job for each client, whether they could pay him or not. It was once said by another CPA that "Alvin did not run a real practice, he just had a Society of Friends." In March 1982, Alvin married Georgina Kathleen Cook. For the next 27 years, she worked in his accounting office, by his side. They raised her young son, Daniel, through many adverse events. Together, they enjoyed museums, bus trips, reading, classical music, historical documentaries and playing with their dogs, Dixie, Sable and Lucy. Togetherness was a hallmark of their happy but unusual marriage. You rarely saw one, without the other nearby. Although he did not talk about it very much publicly, Al did believe in Jesus Christ as his personal savior. His simple faith allowed him to live without fear of either living or dying. In May 2008, he received a medical diagnosis of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. For a short while, an experimental oral medication was taken. No chemotherapy, radiation or surgery could stop this rare cancer. After eighteen months, he died at home. He is survived by his wife, Georgina of Oklahoma City; Sons Randall Hunter and his wife Charlotte of Oklahoma City; Richard Hunter and his wife Carol of Oklahoma City; Michael Hunter and his wife Diane of Rockwall, Texas; Daniel Cook and his fiancée Misty Baker; Daughter Lisa Benningfield and her husband Michael of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Brothers Dr. Clarence Hunter of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Justin "Pete" Snow and his wife Faye of Ormond Beach, Florida; Roy Weldon Snow and his wife Doris of Ramona, California; Grandchildren Brian, Jennifer and Jessica Hunter of Oklahoma City, and Hilary and her husband, Richard Elliott of Nicoma Park, Oklahoma; Great Grandchildren Hunter and Allison Elliott. A special relationship was enjoyed with Sam Terral, a young man with great intelligence and ability. Alvin wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated all the kind wishes, cards, telephone calls and prayers that he received during his long illness. He felt great gratitude to his friend, Carol Ennis, who came frequently to see him in his declining days. Long time personal physician Dr. J. Allan Metz and cancer physician, Dr. Jess Armor, both of Mercy Hospital, are personally thanked for their professional attempts to stop the cancer"™s growth and its associated problems. Autumn Bridge Hospice provided terrific, steadfast care of both a spiritual and practical nature for several months, both to Al and his wife, Georgina. All of their individuals should be commended for their gentle, loving care at all hours of the day and night. Special remarks should be directed to Al"™s "business family". Mr. J Royce Allen, CPA, Marty Crawford and office assistants, Hilary Depe and Jeri Walkup exhibited great unselfishness and kindness. Another group should also be specifically thanked for their continuing steadfast support and understanding is the "professional family" at Integris SW Medical Center. The seventh floor individuals and all associated services gave encompassing warmth and compassionate support to Georgina Hunter, RN, during this long illness. These many instances of devotion will not be forgotten. Many clients have experienced first hand, the ability and talent that Alvin displayed over forty years. Mr. Stephen Jernigan"™s time and assistance were deeply appreciated in Al"™s time of need. Stephen, his family and Al were involved in many business deals over thirty years. It is a sign of the deep respect and loyalty that this type of kindness was shown to Al and family many times during his business life. Alvin enjoyed hearing his brother-in-law, Leslie Wilds, play his bagpipes. He saw Leslie many years ago as an unfocused young man, evolving into a caring, responsible and devoted family man. Barbara Feliz, "Bobbie", Al"™s loyal friend and secretary for 41 years, preceded Alvin in death by a mere 2 days. Born February 22, 1928, Bobbie passed away on Wednesday, December 2nd. Her ever present sense of humor and kind heart be missed by many. Alvin requested that in lieu of flowers, various gift cards be given to the family. He greatly believed in practical and useful gifts. A Celebration of Life service for Alvin and Bobbie will be held at Crossings Community Church, at 14600 North Portland, in Oklahoma City, at 2 pm on Monday, Dec. 14th, 2009. Let us all come together in remembrance of this remarkable and extraordinary man who touched so many lives with his God-given gifts. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alvin Thomas Hunter please visit our Sympathy Store.