Beckham County, OK - Obits: John Absolem Hunt, 1929
11 April 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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HUNT, JOHN ABSOLEM
(10 Jan 1929, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
John Absolem Hunt was born December 6, 1834, in Fleming county, Kentucky. 
Early in life his parents moved to Indiana and settled there.  He, like
his fellow Kentuckian, Abraham Lincoln, learned to split rails for a
living at which he was a good hand.  It was for Abe Lincoln that "Grandpa"
Hunt, as he was lovingly called, cast his first vote.  He was a great
admirer of Abraham Lincoln.
In 1861 Grandpa Hunt married and to this union were born seven children,
three sons and four daughters, three of whom died in infancy.  After
fourteen years of married life his wife died.  Then on July 3, 1876, he
married Sarah E. Slade, with whom he spent fifty-two years of married
life.  Two years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary.  The joy of a golden wedding anniversary is experience by
only a few.  To this union were born four children, one son and three
daughters.
In 1902 they came to Elk City, which has been their home since that time.
He was converted early in life and joined the Methodist Episcopal church
of which he has been a most devoted member.  It was through trial and
suffering that he learned to know God and God's ways.  He was tried and
purified and came to be one of the finest Christian men the world has
known.  It was with great delight he spoke of his Christian experience. 
He loved God and the church.  In late years he was especially anxious to
win people over to Christ and in consequence he preached to people on the
streets or wherever he could he would tell men and women about the love of
Jesus Christ.  He was a great Bible student and was able from memory to
repeat correctly large portions of scriptures.  He was a daily student of
the Bible.  His mind was alert and active until his death.  It is
remarkable what he achieved without a day of schooling.  He took an active
interest in all the affairs of his state, community and church.  He told
his pastor the source of his education was the study of the Bible.
He was very fond of his Advocate, the official church publication, and has
been a constant reader of the paper since 1851.  His Advocate was next to
his Bible.  He was a most devoted husband and father.
On Saturday morning, January 5, 1929, at the age of 94 years and 29 days,
he lay down and without struggle went to sleep to waken yonder across the
shore in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, who had redeemed him
and whom father Hunt dearly loved.  There he is awaiting his bereaved,
Sarah Hunt and three children, Henry M. Hunt, Mrs. C. A. Martin, and Mrs.
G. H. Gaines, thirteen grandchildren and a host of friends.  This grand
old man will be missed by the First Methodist Episcopal church, but, we
are looking forward to that glorious meeting with him and our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
The funeral sermon was preached from the pulpit of the First Methodist
Episcopal church by Rev. A. S. Kattner, Monday, January 7, 1929. 
Interment was made in the Fairlawn cemetery with Gentry-Killough in charge
of arrangements.
(17 Jan 1929, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Elk City's oldest citizen, "Grandpa" Hunt, passed away last week and his
passing removes a character from this community.
Everyone did not know "Grandpa" Hunt, for he has been in practical
retirement for many years.  While he possessed unusual strength  for a man
of his years and was always busy tilling the soil, his only trips to town
were to church services and occasion only for himself, but for others, and
friends.
"Grandpa" Hunt was a distinct character, in that he had reached the point
in life where practically his only interest was in the future life, not
only for himself, but for others, and the bulk of conversation on his part
was of things eternal.
He liked to think of himself as "a worker in the vineyard of the Lord," as
he expressed it the last time I ever talked to him.  I think he realized
that his time on earth was short and sought to improve every opportunity
of service for the Master whom he loved.
Truly his ninety-four years on earth were fraught with many hardships, but
he was a cheerful soul and even when death separated him from the
companion of more than fifty years he did not complain, but became more
unceasing in spreading the Gospel.
The name of "Grandpa" Hunt many never appear in the histories, a great
many people may never hear of him, but he filled a place in the world in a
humble way and it is better because he has lived.
Those who did know him honor him for his upright character and his
devotion to the cause of righteousness.

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