Delwin Max Hunt

Delwin (Del) was born July 22, 1933, in Bishop, Texas, to Roy and Pauline Hunt. The youngest of three children, he grew up in Agua Dulce and Bishop, graduating from Bishop High School in 1951. He attended Del Mar Junior College and then Texas A&I University, playing football and basketball on scholarship. In addition to being a three year letterman, Del earned a degree in Business Administration and completed the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class. Immediately upon graduation in 1955, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and reported for duty at Quantico, Virginia.

On leave over Christmas, Del returned to Texas to marry his college sweetheart, Marie Jewett, of Kingsville, Texas, on December 27, 1955. Marie remained at his side for almost 67 years, until the moment of his death.

After being honorably discharged, Del and Marie moved to Odessa, Texas, where he began his business career with Tenneco Gas. Working originally as a roustabout, he progressed to positions in exploration in several companies, retiring from Phillips Petroleum as Area Land Manager in 1995. The oil business afforded the opportunity for multiple relocations, Marie often noting they moved 20 times in their first 40 years, between Denver and several Texas cities. That came to a halt when Del built his dream retirement home among 500 acres of northern Colorado pines. He brought in power, dug wells, built roads and put in a fishing pond to provide a magical gathering place for family. Innumerable incredible memories were created there while hiking, fishing, riding ATVs, paddle boating, sledding, skating, barbecuing, shooting and gazing at a million stars. When the snow got too deep and the roads became impassable, Del and Marie would migrate to their second home on the beach at Corpus Christi where they would stroll and reconnect with high school and college friends in the area.

Del was gregarious. He was a talker and a story teller, never hesitant to strike up a conversation with friends and strangers alike. He made much of his living traveling the south and the west, mending fence, bucking hay and swapping lies with farmers and ranchers in an effort to secure an oil lease. He was the guy in the grocery line who made you tap your toe because he couldn’t resist telling the clerk about his grandkids’ achievements.

Del was a sports guy. After college, he played semi-professional basketball for several years. He refereed high school soccer in Colorado and Texas and attended hundreds of his kids’ and grandkids’ games and matches. His booming voice was a testament to his presence in the stands.

Del was a Boy Scout leader. He had a hand in the formation of many remarkable young men. Some of his favorite memories included camping on the Phipps’ property before it became Highlands Ranch and a 50 mile hike on the Western Slope. He never tired of telling people that those inedible “pilot biscuits” were only good for skipping across the lake.

Del was a faithful Roman Catholic. Converting from the Baptist religion prior to marriage, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an original parishioner at St. Thomas More in Centennial, Colorado, and Epiphany of the Lord in Katy, Texas. Del strove to serve as an example of faith to all his family.

Del was a family man. Father of six, grandfather of sixteen and great-grandfather of four, everything he did was in devotion to the health, safety, success and happiness of his family. He imparted in all of them an incredible work ethic and love for life.

Del is survived by his wife, Marie, sons Michael (Tracy), Paul (Karie), Daniel (Angela), Thomas (Sara) and daughter, Monica, along with all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by son Gregory, brother Roy and sister Yvonne.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Hunt family.