Neal Wesley Hunt, Sr. age 92 passed away at his home on December 7, 2020. Mr. Hunt was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served during World War Two, Korea and Vietnam. He retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant, having last been assigned to the Office of Special Investigation in Washington, DC. He subsequently was a Department of Defense Civil Service employee with the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon for seven years and then served with the United States Readiness Command and the Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL where retired in 1988. Mr. Hunt moved to Rutherford County, NC in June of 1988 with his beloved wife, Patricia Mulligan Hunt who passed away in November of 1988. He was an avid fisherman making annual trips to Canada and enjoyed the trout streams of Western North Carolina where he fished on a weekly basis. He also enjoyed gardening which was reflected by the many species of plants that he lovingly tended at his home in Hidden Hills. He attended Green Hill Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, President of the Senior Association, and as an usher. He was a life time member of the National Knife Collectors Association and a member of the Bechtler Mint Knife Club where he was on the Board of Directors and Business Manager. Mr. Hunt was a volunteer at the Rutherford Hospital Intensive Care Unit waiting room for several years and was a longtime member of the Rutherfordton Lions Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Green Hill Fire Department and helped with the preparation of the BBQ’s at the fire department for many years. Left to cherish his memory are his son and daughter in law; Neal W. Hunt, Jr. and Gwendoline, granddaughter, Kirsten Alya Hunt as well as other relatives and friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father, Harry Ward Hunt; his mother, Wilma Winchell Hermes; one brother, Harry W. Hunt, and one sister, M. Jean Borman. A celebration of life will be held 2 P.M. Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Green Hill Baptist Church 1941 US Hwy 64/74 Rutherfordton, NC 28139 with Rev. Matthew Moore officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Green Hill Fire Department 2711 US Hwy 64/74 Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or to your local American Cancer Society.