Oscar Hunter Jr., 91, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at his home, with family by his side. Oscar was born in Round Pond, Ark., to Oscar and Vella Hunter on June 8, 1931.
Oscar is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Beatrice Gupton and Corrine Hunter Cooper; and granddaughter, Angelica Danielle Hunter.
Oscar went to school in St. Francis County. He married Dorothy Ree Adkins on June 11, 1950, and they remained married for 72 years. He retired from Reynolds Metal, where he worked as a carbon setter and later as a crane operator. While working at Reynolds, he took the entrepreneurial role and opened a gas station on the corner of Grand Avenue and Pleasant Street, becoming the first African American to do so in Hot Springs. He joined Greater St. Paul Baptist Church and later became a member of St. Thomas Chapel Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon. In his later years and until his departure, he was a member of Eureka Baptist Church. He was also an active member of ACORN and a Boy Scout leader.
Oscar is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Dorothy Hunter; daughters, Paulette Hunter Riley, Barbara Cooper, Gloria Glover, Patricia Crosslin, Denese Gentry, Felicia Hunter; and sons, Oscar (Nancy) Hunter III and Felix Hunter. Sisters, Peggy West, Jackie Hill and Snowanna Lewis. Thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, with Pastor Corey D. Scott officiating. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 10 a.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 219 Gulpha St., Hot Springs, AR 71901, and the burial will follow at Crestview Cemetery.
The family of Oscar Hunter Jr. wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Al-Dadah and her nurse, Melissa (Missy) Parker, Hospice Home Care staff, two very special friends, Meredith Lemons and Tommy Reed (Deceased), our neighbors, the White Family, the Culinary Ministry of Union Baptist Church, Ms. Loretta Jordan, and a very special thanks to Mrs. Algenette Hayes, aka Ms. Al, for her tireless and exceptionally compassionate care of our Daddy.
The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.