John W. Hunt, Sr., age 80, passed away from heart failure Monday, December 31, 2012 in Lakeland.

Born November 6, 1932 in Lake Wales, he was the son of the late Charles M. and Dorothy Williamson Hunt. Mr. Hunt was a U.S. Army Veteran. Mr. Hunt was a longtime Agricultural Real Estate Appraiser and a Land Manager. Mr. Hunt earned a B.S.A and M.S.A from the University of Florida in Agricultural Engineering and Animal Nutrition and Soils. He was a ranch manager of 30,000 acres for 10 years.

He was designated an ARA #664- Accredited Rural Appraiser and a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 1984, a Senior Livestock Appraiser #665, member of the International Society of Livestock Appraisers in 1985, a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1973. Mr. Hunt was also a member of many organizations including; the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, the Bartow Association of Realtors, Past President and Realtor of the year in 1986, Past President and 31-year Supervisor of the Polk County Soil Conservation District, Past District Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Florida Association of Conservation, Florida Cattlemen Association, Past County Director of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association, Past President of the Florida Beef Cattle Improvement Assoc., Past President of the American Red Brangus Assoc., Past Councilman of the American Society of Range Management, and a member of Florida Society of Range Management. He was also member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Bartow and a Past President of the Soil and Water Conservation District for the State of Florida and a Past Chairman of the Florida Forestry Advisory Council by Governor’s appointment.

Mr. Hunt is survived by two sons; John W. Hunt, Jr., and David C. Hunt and wife Beth, and his former spouse Kathleen C. Hunt all of Bartow. Arrangements are being handled by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow, where the family will receive friends on Thursday, January 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will follow Friday, January 4 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 West Stuart Street in Bartow. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church at the same address. Condolences to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com.