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NORMAN F. Age 92, a resident of Albuquerque since 1992, died on August 7, 2012. He is survived by his spouse, Patrice Dawson Hunter; and his five children: Norman F. Hunter, Jr., James Shores Hunter, Alice Marie Hunter, Joseph Alexander Hunter and John Dawson Hunter; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved sister, Julia Hunter Flowers. Mr. Hunter was born in Shreveport, Louisiana as the youngest of seven children. He spent a happy childhood there, growing up in a small southern town with kind, loving parents. After attending St. John's High School, he went to Centenary College in Shreveport. He learned to fly single engine cub planes as part of the Civilian Air Corp prior to WWII and also had some flight training during the War. In 1942 he married Mary Alice Shores, also of Shreveport. They had four children before her untimely death in 1961. He went on to serve during the Second World War aboard a Liberty Ship that was part of a top secret air craft repair operation in the Pacific. His ship survived a major typhoon as well as being hunted by Japanese planes and submarines; he had many entertaining stories to tell about his war days. After the war he returned to college, graduated with a degree in Geology and went on to have an extensive career as a Petroleum Landman with Tenneco Oil Co. and Sanchez-O'Brien Oil Co. in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In 1965 he married Patrice Dawson Hunter, with whom he had one child, John. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer and he always took a vigorous daily walk. One of his great adventures was running a large oil and gas operation in Houma, Louisiana, which is southwest of New Orleans, where he had exciting encounters with alligators, swamp boats, Cajuns, and politicians. Mr. Hunter loved his work and always said he would have continued to work forever if his vision had allowed. In his later years, Mr. Hunter suffered from macular degeneration, but compensated so well he was able to continue his walks and also handle his own paperwork, with the aid of magnifying devises and an incredible amount of patience. His memory was excellent and he could recite phone numbers, account numbers, exact dollar amounts, and other details on demand. His sense of humor was original and legendary. In his last few days, while bedridden and extremely weak, plagued with bizarre dreams, he was still able to joke. When his son asked, "Are you in pain," he whispered, "No - I'm in mischief." A Visitation will be held at French - Lomas location on Sunday, August 12, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with a Graveside Service at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to his four sons, pallbearers will include two of his grandsons, Patrick Hunter and James Hunter, and his good friend Ben Abeyta of Albuquerque. A Memorial Service will also be held in Shreveport, Louisiana at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The New Mexico Library for the Blind and Handicapped, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New Mexico, or the Hospice De La Luz, 3812 Academy Parkway North, NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. Please visit our online guestbook for Norman Hunter at: www.remembertheirstory.com FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd NE 505-275-3500
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