He professed his faith in Christ and was saved at age nine. He was a member of Christ United Methodist.
He was a graduate of Greeneville High School, and received his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee; Knoxville in Agriculture. He then earned his Doctoral degree from Virginia Tech in Plant Pathology. He spent his career dedicated to the advancements in Agriculture and retired as Superintendent of the University of Tennessee Tobacco Experiment Station. He loved his community and served in various capacities including: the Exchange Club of Greeneville, where he helped faithfully each year with the Field Day activities that provided opportunities for kids of all ages across Greeneville/Greene County; the Ladies Classic basketball tournament charter member/organizer; Greene County Fair Board, where he served in many capacities such as President; he served not only his community but also those that had been struck with disaster through mission work in various states; he served in various Sunday School teaching roles at both Asbury and Christ U.M. churches; he loved gospel music and traveled routinely to listen to various groups; he served on various agriculture boards throughout the state and nation as well as other countries such as South America; he was an avid UT athletics fan; and most important – he was the best friend, dad, uncle, and poppy who would always light up the room when he was around!
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Stella Sauls Hunter; parents, Arnold and Lois Hunter; and parents-in-law, Frank and Blanche Sauls.
Survivors include his sons, Matthew and wife, Hannah, Hunter of Rogersville and Ben Hunter (Tessa) of Greeneville; grandchildren: Morgan and Noah Hunter of Rogersville and Ande Kate King and Harper Hunter (Jackson Owens) of Greeneville; sister-in-law, Mary Garland; one very special niece, Rachael (Casey) Cooper; very special and close family friends, Dr. Larry Trevathan (Joy) of O’Fallon, MO and Dr. Michael Bible (Karen) of Chuckey; special caregivers: Leslie Dishner, Tish Rittenour, Sarah Caldwell and the staff and nurses Smokey Mountain Home Health as well as the great doctors and nurses at Vanderbilt Neurology Center in Nashville, TN – all of which provided exceptional care and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020, in the chapel at Kiser-Rose Hill in Greeneville. Rev. Matthew Hunter will officiate. Funeral services will be streamed live as well.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 21 at GreenLawn Memory Gardens at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, etc. - memorial contributions may be made to the Walters State Community College Agriculture Scholarship Fund in Phil’s name.
Pallbearers will be Ben Hunter, Noah Hunter, Seth Hayes, Andy Barnett, Dr. Larry Trevathan, Casey Cooper, and Fred Sorrells.
Honorary pallbearers are Buddy Yonz, Allen Jones, Mike Hayes, Mike Bible, Jim Collins, Bill Nunnally, and Tim Morgan.
