Galen Frederick Hunt, 74, Shell Knob, Mo., a former Osawatomie resident, died Saturday, April 28, 2001, in St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

He was born March 10, 1927, in the Plum Creek community north of Osawatomie. He was the oldest of the two sons of Azol Darwin and Freda Emily Gibson Hunt. He grew up in the community, attended local schools and graduated in 1945 from Osawatomie High School. He spent most of his life on the family farm.

He entered the U. S. Navy Feb. 26, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo. and served during World War II. He saw active duty aboard the USS Intrepid in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. He was discharged May 10, 1946, and then served four years in the Naval Reserves.

He and Lucille Thompson were married June 25, 1950, in the First United Methodist Church of Osawatomie.

He attended Thompson's School of Watch Making in Kansas City,Mo., and obtained his private pilot's license. After he graduated, he and his wife made their home in Cody, Wyo., and Greeley, Colo., until 1965. At that time they returned to Kansas to make their home on the famly farm.

While in Cody, they owned and operated their own jewelry store. After returning to Kansas, Mr. Hunt farmed and was a physical plant supervisor for the State of Kansas Rainbow Facility. He retired in 1991 and they moved to Shell Knob in 1993.  

He was involved with and was a past president of the Kiwanis Club and was the local chairman of the American Red Cross. He was past noble grand of the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge and a member of the Plum Creek United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and USS Intrepid Association.

Mr. Hunt was known as a strong family man, good friend and neighbor. He was an artist, sharing his talents with his daughter and grandson, a mechanic and builder of equipment and machinery models.

Those preceding him in death included a granddaughter. 

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Hunt of the home; his daughter, Debra Tronco of Cape Fair, Mo.; his brother, Hollis Hunt of Osawatomie; and one grandson.

Services were Wednesday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Burial was in Osawatomie Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers were David Wilson, Jamie Wilson, Jon Wilson, Charles Bartlett, Mark Manly and Bill Manly.

Memorials may be made to the church.