Emual "E" Hunt, age 90, formerly of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died Thursday night, July 18, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Born July 6, 1934 in Point Cedar, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Tilman and Allie (Childress) Hunt.
Emual met Gretta Estaline Small (daughter of Lon Small and Dora Runyan Small), from Amity in 1953 and together they started a seven-decade love story that one only reads about in books. They married October 31, 1953 and built a marriage that was more than just vows – it was a true love story full of honesty, respect, and understanding that overcame anything that came their way. God and family were always at the forefront of how he lived his life, made decisions with Gretta, conducted business, and raised his children. He carried the same photo of Gretta in his wallet for 70 years and made sure to show that same old photo (which was getting quite dog-eared in recent years) to anyone he talked to, making sure to also tell them how beautiful she is, how much he loved her, and how lucky he was to have her (often much to her embarrassment since he did it even when she was with him).
He was the owner of Hunt's Automotive & Parts in Hot Springs, Arkansas for more than 30 years. He served in the US Army in the 1950s and always enjoyed working on cars -- from the time he was a young boy helping shade tree mechanics until well into his retirement – even spending two years working at Ford Motor Company in Detroit assembling heads. Building performance engines was his passion and drag racing was equal parts work and hobby. In the 1970s he was awarded Arkansas Drag Racing Sportsman of the Year and in the 1980s won the US Nationals in his class twice. In 2020 he was inducted into the Arkansas Drag Racing Hall of Fame. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and vacationing out West, taking many trips to visit Colorado -- the state he and Gretta most enjoyed spending leisure time.
Emual is predeceased by brother Delmore Hunt and sisters Geraldine Tart and Larue Hall as well as two grandchildren, Eric Jackson and Brock Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Gretta Hunt along with four children, Vicki Hunt, Diane McCoy (Tim), Trish Watson (Jim) all of Benton, Arkansas and Emual “Jason” Hunt (Derek Parker) of Shreveport, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Cara Long, Matt Phillips, Ali Watson, and Ben Watson; four great-grandchildren, Taylor, Collin, Ayden, and Jace; along with many friends and loved ones.
At his request, there will be no visitation or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, his memory may be honored by giving a memory donation to the American Heart Association at heart.org. Letters or cards of condolence may be addressed to and mailed to his widow at 2324 Redwood Drive, Benton, AR 72015. Kind words and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GrossFuneralHome.com for the Hunt family.
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