Luetta Hunter

Luetta Kay Hunter, “Kay” as she was known to all her friends and family, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, in the presence of her husband, son, and daughter at the age of 81.

Kay was an only child born in her maternal grandmother’s home in Alva, OK on November 12, 1938, to George Kenneth Nulton and I. Estel Nulton. At the age of 18 months, she moved with her mother, an aunt, and a cousin to Denver, CO where work opportunities were more abundant while her father was enlisted in the army during World War II.

Kay grew up in south-central Denver, attending South Presbyterian Church, where she met her childhood sweetheart and future husband, John R. “Jack” Hunter. They both attended South High School in Denver and maintained lifelong friendships from their school days.

Kay and Jack married June 7, 1957, at South Presbyterian Church in Denver. They raised two children, a daughter, Lynn R. Hunter, and a son, Donald J. “Don” Hunter. They enjoyed weekend camping trips, jeeping throughout Colorado, visiting ghost towns and old cemeteries, playing cards with friends, hosting friends at their Crystal Lakes cabin, feeding the chipmunks and birds, and staying in touch with friends and family by phone and internet.

Although Kay was a mother and a housewife, she was also an accomplished businesswoman in her own right and established Bear Valley Secretarial Service in 1983. She continued to do financial work for HP Automotive until June of 2020.

Kay enjoyed sending birthday and anniversary cards to friends and family and rarely missed a date. She loved wildflowers, columbines were one of her favorites, but she also loved carnations and always appreciated receiving flowers.

She also loved animals. Dogs and cats were family members over the years, and she felt each of their losses sharply. Wild animals held a special place in her heart, as well --- from deer with fawns and moose to hummingbirds and birds of all kinds to squirrels and “chippies” --- she loved watching all of them!

Kay was preceded in death by her father, George, her mother, Estel, and her cousin, Don Stahl. She is survived by her husband, Jack, her daughter, Lynn, her son, Don, her daughter-in-law, Brigitte, and her adopted granddaughter, Katrina. Several cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive her.

Kay’s ashes will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be planned for the summer of 2021 when it is hoped that it will be safe for all of us to gather together again, post-pandemic. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to either the Denver Dumb Friends League or to Kay’s adopted granddaughter’s animal rescue organization, Peachy Farms, Inc.

Kay’s last wish was to let all her friends and family know how grateful she was for their love and friendship over the years and that this was not goodbye, but “See you later” --- because she’ll be waiting to see each of us again in heaven.