Steve Hunter

Steve Hunter, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and Rotarian, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, surrounded by his loving family. Born May 29, 1955, in Brevard, North Carolina, Steve lived a life defined by devotion to his family and a deep commitment to kindness and service.

From an early age, Steve was active in Scouts and loved the forests of Western North Carolina, where he worked with the National Forest Service maintaining trails and exploring waterfalls. At age seven, he discovered a lifelong passion for golf. He graduated from Brevard High School in 1973 and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—affectionately calling it “the southern part of heaven.” While at UNC, he played on the golf team as a freshman, attended countless Tar Heel basketball games, and earned degrees in Biology and Chemistry, graduating in 1977.

Steve met Tanya on a blind date in 1979, and they married on April 5, 1980. Known lovingly as “Pappy,” Steve took great pride in raising a family with Tanya. He is survived by his wife, Tanya; his sister, Ruth Ellen; his children, Emily (Tommy), Caitlin (Jared), and Andrew “Bub” (Sarah); and his grandchildren, Charlie, Nora, and Jack as well as extended family . He was preceded in death by his parents Duncan Hunter and Ruth Epps Hunter and his brother, Mike Hunter.

Steve began his career at Baxter Healthcare in 1977 as a chemist, later advancing to quality leadership roles before transitioning into information technology in 1990. His work allowed him to travel internationally and form lifelong friendships, including in some of his favorite spots, Costa Rica and Singapore. He retired in 2015.

In retirement, Steve devoted himself wholeheartedly to community service. He volunteered shuttling patients at McDowell Hospital, delivered meals to seniors through the McDowell Senior Center for ten years, supported food insecurity efforts through the Foothills Food Hub, served on the McDowell Trails Association Board, and drove for FaithHealth. He was a faithful attendee of First Baptist Church of Marion and played weekly golf with the Blue Ridge Seniors.

Steve’s commitment to community extended deeply into Rotary. Invited to join in February 2018, he quickly embraced the organization and its motto of “Service Above Self.” Steve valued the opportunity to serve alongside city and county leaders, hospital executives, bankers, lawyers, and small business owners. Rotary became his extended family, and he was honored to serve as Rotary President beginning in July 2025.

A service celebrating Steve’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Marion on Wednesday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m., with a receiving of friends with the family beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to support Steve’s passion for addressing food insecurity in McDowell County through Foothills Food Hub. Donations can be made online at https://www.foothillsfoodhub.org/donate

Steve will be remembered for his respect for everyone he met, his genuine friendship, and his ability to never know a stranger. His legacy of kindness, service, and love will endure.