A Charlotte native, Steve graduated from North Mecklenburg High School and UNC Charlotte. He taught history and economics in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), retiring in 2005 after 30 years. Many of those years were spent at Piedmont Open Middle School, where he was also a volleyball coach and yearbook advisor. When the 9th grade was moved to high school, he moved with the program to West Charlotte High School. He then was on the original staff at Butler High School where he remained until his retirement.
While in CMS, Steve helped create and manage the Dial-a-Teacher program. His excellence in the classroom was recognized when he was named a finalist for the 1998 CMS Teacher of the Year. Steve found great joy keeping in touch with former students through Facebook and was so proud of their success and accomplishments. One of his students recently wrote “Steve can take comfort in the knowledge that he will live on, not just in the hearts and minds of his students, but in their impact on the world today and in the future. When he nurtured creativity, confidence and compassion in thousands of young people, he guaranteed he would live forever in this world. He can truly look at his mortal life as a job well done. We love him.”
Growing up, Steve was very involved in his church, playing softball, sharing his music and as a member of the Boy Scout troop. He played guitar and sang in the church’s traveling youth choir, the New Creation. He was also involved with summers at Camp Lurecrest, first as a camper, then as a counselor. He touched hundreds of lives, sharing the love of Jesus through his music, as a counselor and as a friend. Steve was an avid Tar Heel and Carolina Panthers fan. Music was one of his passions throughout his life. He played and sang in church praise bands and recorded two CDs of his original music. He incorporated music in his lessons, often bringing his guitar to class. His interest in music led to work in the car audio and home theater fields for several years. He was a car enthusiast as well, always interested in the latest technology. His favorite car was probably his Porsche RS America.
Steve is survived by his wife Jeanne Tomanchek Hunt of Mint Hill, brother Bobby Hunt (Susan) of Durham, nephews Andrew Hunt (Zinaida) of Carrboro, Zachary Hunt (Jordan) of Asheville and niece Jessie Berreth (Wade) of Cary. He is also survived by two great nieces, Ajla and Quinn, one great nephew, Henry, and cousins Sharon Gibson, Todd Hooks and Teresa Mitchell. Finally, he will be greatly missed by his two Labradors Charlie and Jake, his many in-laws and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Steve’s memory to the American Cancer Society [cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html] or to Lucky Labs Rescue [luckylabsrescue.com], P.O. Box 49663 Charlotte, NC 28277.
The family thanks Dr. Jennifer Dallas and her staff at Novant Health Cancer Institute Mint Hill, the staff at the Harris Hospice Unit and the many dedicated staff members at Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center who provided Steve such good care over the past several months.
A service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held 12:00 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021, at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill, with the Reverend Randy Briscoe officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
If you knew Steve, you know he was not a fan of a coat and tie. Therefore, if you plan to attend the service, feel free to come in more casual attire.
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