Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com From his son Andrew: "Early morning on July 6, the world lost an amazing man who touched so many hearts throughout his life. Anyone who knew him knew his sense of humor: dry, but always coming from a place of warmth. He always filled any conversation he had with personality, cracking the typical "give me the damage" joke to waiters and dropping different voices in the stories he would tell. He even stood up to sing alongside a piano bar performer on one of the last days of a cruise we went on. As dry, funny, and lively as he was, he was always very responsible (he liked to say he was given the "R" gene in his family). He kept everything well-organized from trips and parties to finances and taxes. He would jump to give me advice whenever I needed it (sometimes when asked and sometimes freely volunteered). He loved to discuss up and coming technologies like electric cars and advances in robotics as well. As much as we miss him, we will try to keep his memory alive. And with that, here is the dry joke he liked to say whenever he was preparing us for a time as dark as this: "It's an actuarial fact that 5 out of 5 people die." We always knew this day would come because it does for everyone, but we just never thought it would come this soon." Jody was born in Savannah, Georgia to Jack Davis Hunter Jr. and Jacqueline Woods Hunter. He spent his childhood among his loving friends and family. His parents and grandparents, Jack and Leonie Hunter and Julian and Julia Woods. He was lucky to have grown up in the city and in the country with his Woods cousins. He was also lucky to have a home at the Savannah Family YMCA where he spent summers with a band of brothers and sisters teaching little ones how to swim, skate and be healthy. After graduating from Jenkins High School, he attended the University of Georgia intending to become a veterinarian. After deciding that calculus was not for him, he transferred to Georgia Southern College earning a degree in Political Science and later a master's in public administration. He worked his way through graduate school by working at Snooky's Minit Mart experiencing a wide range of personalities that helped him hone his wit. He also became a private pilot and, although not active, he still retained a love of all things aviation related. After receiving his MPA, he went to work with the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Health Care Alliance, Atlanta Gas Light, Georgia Pacific, Koch Business Solutions and Pacific Resources. All along the way he met wonderful friends; they became part of the little Hunter family. He retired from Koch Business Solutions as Director of Benefits, took a couple of months off, and was recruited by Pacific Resources to help develop strategies to address the Affordable Care Act. He was the graybeard at the young company which he loved. After 3 years there, he retired again. The Hunter family -- his wife Diane Cappelli Hunter, much loved son Andrew Albert Hunter and their Jack Russell Terrier, Quigley -- lived in Dekalb County until 2018 when Jody and Diane moved to Big Canoe near Jasper, Georgia. He loved his home on the hill surrounded by trees and looked forward to many years in this community. As he was finding his way through retirement, he took up cooking-- much to the delight of his wife and friends -- painting and pottery. Pottery had become his most loved creative outlet. He loved traveling and never hesitated taking the family. He made sure Andrew was exposed to the world from age 3 on. The many memories of treks through Pompeii, Madrid, Carcassone, the fiords of Sweden, St. Petersburg, Jordan, and Egypt delighted him and us, too. He was a rock to all his family from nephews, in-laws, to wife and son and future daughter-in-law. We cannot sum up his life fully in these words. Please know we are so appreciative of everyone's prayers and offers of help. As for arrangements, we will certainly be accomplishing his wish to be buried in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah and hosting a party in Savannah at a later date. Please check his Facebook page for future plans. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to the Jody and Diane Hunter Travel Abroad Scholarship at Georgia Southern University - a fund for students in need who have never traveled abroad:  https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1544/giving21/form.aspx?sid=1544&gid=1&pgid=463&cid=1157&DIDS=1249 or Jody and Diane Hunter Travel Abroad Scholarship, Office of Giving, Georgia Southern University, 1332 Southern Drive, Statesboro, GA 30458. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.