Ronald (Ron) Edward Hunt of Salem, Oregon went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2024. He lived life to the fullest and died peacefully at Capital Manor in West Salem from heart related issues. Ron was born on May 22, 1933, in Portland, Oregon to William and Lucille (Bowman) Hunt.
Ron had a life-long love of sports, especially baseball. As a baseball pitcher, he achieved all-city and all-state status at Washington High School in Portland, Oregon. Ron was scouted by the Chicago Cubs and played pro ball in their Pacific Coast League (PCL). Years later, he enjoyed volunteering as a pitching coach at Salem Academy High School.
During his years at Portland State University (PSU), he interned with The Oregonian as a sportswriter, covering sporting events and writing a weekly sports column. Ron served in the U.S. Navy Air Force on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge aircraft carrier in the Pacific during the Korean War. Upon returning to Portland after his military service, he completed a Bachelor of Science, focusing on history and journalism at PSU.
Ron and Colleen (Doerfler) were married on June 24, 1972, at Maranatha Church in Portland. Though raised as an atheist, he became a Christian in his early 30s after someone from Campus Crusade referenced Matthew 18:3, “If you don’t change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” After hearing these words, the Holy Spirit did a work in his heart, and he immediately gave his life to Jesus. From then on, his faith was an important part of his life.
He began working in the hearing aid field in 1958. As an entrepreneur, he opened offices in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Silverton, along with branch offices in several other Oregon locations. He developed lasting friendships with many he encountered and took joy in helping people. He retired just before he turned 85, and often said that working kept him young.
He and Colleen moved to Capital Manor in 2022. In his short time there, he made many friends and enjoyed pinochle, bridge, memoirs writing class, and hand-writing birthday cards with Bible verses for other residents.
Ron was preceded in death by his older sister, Eleanor (Hunt) Park. He is survived by, Colleen, his loving wife of nearly 52 years; daughters, Melissa Hunt and Julie Hunt, both residing in California, and Liz (and Brent) Hoffman, serving as missionaries with TEAM in Czech Republic. Also dear to him were relatives: Jackie and Dick Lefor, Doug and Vicki Doerfler, Mike and Bridget Lefor, Tom Lefor, Amy and Scott Rapp, Chris and Maggie Lefor, Jean-Marc Lefor, Steve and Christina Doerfler, and great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nursing, caregiving, and support staff of Capital Manor and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Ron. He will be remembered for his love for Colleen, his generosity, optimism, strong work ethic, sense of humor, love of good food and music, and frequent movie recommendations.
A viewing will be held at City View Funeral Home in Salem on Sunday, April 14 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 15 at 10 a.m., in the Capital Manor Auditorium in West Salem. Ron will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 16 at 10 a.m.
