August 29, 1926 — July 14, 2016
Royal Kay Hunt passed peacefully away July 14, 201,6 after a long noble battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born August 29, 1926, in St. George, Utah, to Royal Samuel and Hettie Burgess Hunt. He lived on the Hunt ranch near Central until the divorce of his parents when he was very young. Winters found him in St. George with his working mother and summers on the ranch in Central with his grandparents, Abe and Maude Burgess. Kay as he was called in his early years was intelligent and did well in school. He was close to his uncle Burt and also many cousins.
During World War II Kay turned 18 and was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Leyte, Philippines when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. He was transferred to Tokyo where he served at the United States occupied Japanese prison.
On his discharge he returned home and rekindled his friendship with Gai Graff. The friendship developed into love and they were married August 25, 1947, in St. George. Kay had one more year to graduate from Dixie College, which he completed. Kay was accepted to the University Law School so they left for Salt Lake City.
Near the end of his schooling the branch Presidency of Stadium Village came to call Royal on a mission. He and Gai had recently been activated in the LDS Church. Royal told them that if he passed the Utah State Bar exam he would go. Of course he did. His mission call was to West Germany for 30 months. Previously Kay had encouraged Gai to go back to school. Three months after he left she graduated from the University of Utah and returned home to St. George to teach school. His mission was the finest choice Royal Kay could have made for his and Gai’s life.
He was devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accepted any call that came to him. He served as a high councilman, a bishop, a stake mission president, a mission president and General Council for the church in Europe plus many other wonderful callings. Kay and Gai returned to St. George in 1988 and the call to the St. George Temple Baptistery was very dear to him.
His greatest joy after 9 years of marriage was being able to adopt two children, Matt and Jana. Then after returning home about 4 ½ years in Germany we were blessed to be able to adopt another lovely baby girl, Tina. Another blessing was being able to adopt two of his grandchildren. Royal deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made everyone’s life happier with his great sense of humor and devotion to his loved ones.
He is survived by his wife Gai Graff Hunt, of almost 69 years, his sons Matt (Karen) Hunt, Charlie (Leslie) Hunt and daughters Jana Hunt (Craig) Burningham, Tina Hunt and Amy Hunt (Mike) Corbell and his uncle Burt Burgess along with numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Royal Samuel and Hettie Burgess Hunt, his great-grandson Jordan Charles Hunt and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the St. George East Stake Center, 449 S. 300 East.
- Viewings will be held on Tuesday, July 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George Utah, and Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m. at the St. George East Stake Center, 449 S. 300 East.
- Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-635-2212.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.