David P. Hunter

David Paul Hunter of Champaign passed away peacefully on January 1, 2024 at home with loving family members by his side.

Born October 25, 1929 in Champaign, Illinois, Dave attended Central High School in Peoria, Illinois. He obtained his bachelors degree in Agriculture from the University of Illinois, Class of 1951. As an Army ROTC student, he was a member of Pershing Rifles military fraternity, commanding the unit in his senior year. During his last three years of college, he also served in the Illinois Army National Guards 106th Tank Battalion in Urbana. On September 2, 1950, Dave married Carole Ann Bauer of St. Louis, Missouri. Just prior to graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, and moved to Camp Polk, Louisiana for assignment with the 822nd Tank Battalion. Over the following years, he served with the 40th Tank Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, thereafter with the 37th Tank Battalion, then Headquarters, Combat Command B, and the 35th Tank Battalion, all of the 4th Armored Division. These assignments covered thirteen and a half years and included two tours to Germany. After serving his last tour of duty as an ROTC instructor at the University of Illinois, he completed his 20 years of military service in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Major.

Upon return to civilian life in 1964, Dave worked in real estate, where he and his wife soon founded Dependable Reality in Champaign. They successfully owned and managed their company for just over 30 years until their retirement in 1998. Dave had many "firsts" as a real estate broker in Champaign. Among them, he was the first to implement a formal training protocol and write computer programs for his sales agents to utilize in their work. He was the first broker to publish a weekly "tip" column in the newspaper to be helpful for both buyers and sellers. He was also the first to have agents take turns "on call" so customers had 24/7 access to Dependable Realty. Throughout his career, he and Carole Ann had branch offices in six surrounding towns, as well as two in Champaign. He was president of the Champaign County Board of Realtors, a member of Lions Club, taught at Parkland College and served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign. He was awarded Realtor of the Year, Champaign County Board of Realtors in 1969.

Dave is survived by his wife of 73 years, Carole Ann (Bauer) Hunter and their four children: David Carl Hunter (Barbara) of Charleston, IL, Diane Erna Royston (Charles) of IN, Denise Ann Hunter (Brook) of Champaign and Dana Leigh Hunter of Charleston, IL. Together they have seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Naomi V. Wingfield of Sidell, IL, his father, David C. Hunter of Macomb, IL and his brother, Leland K. Hunter of Casper, WY.

He will always be remembered for his wit and humor with jokes and word play that were both entertaining and punny. He loved language, was very computer savvy and had a knack for fixing or making most anything out of a coat hanger.

A memorial service with be held for Dave on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign. A lighthearted gathering will follow in the lower level of the church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign or the Champaign Lions Club.

Please join Daves family in sharing memories and photos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com