Mr. Martin Condon Hunt Jr.

Martin C. Hunt, age 94, died Wednesday, October 8. Predeceased by parents, Martin Condon Hunt and Agnes Gill Hunt; aunt, Mary Gill; and brother, William Hoyl Hunt. Survived by cousins Davison Collins, Mexico; Douglas Collins, Seattle; Lou Thesmar, Memphis, Alfred Thesmar and family, Falls Church, VA,; Will and Trish Hayley, Memphis; Hoyl Gill, Knoxville; traveling companion John Caldwell, Key West and many devoted friends. Martin was born and raised in Knoxville. He made life-long friends teaching ballroom dancing at Miss Annie McGee's dancing school while in his teens. He attended the University of Tennessee and during and after World War Two, worked at Rohm & Haas in Quality Control. In 1948 he joined his aunt, Mary Gill, at her Cumberland Avenue store selling imported gifts, antiques and furniture. In the 1960's Miss Gill turned to selling fine womens clothes until her death in the 1990's. In 1952 Martin took his first trip to Europe opening his eyes to a world beyond East Tennessee. In 1954 he traveled to the Mid-East and Spain and Portugal for six weeks, and in 1956 he went around the world in two and a half months. Martin traveled outside the United States 63 times in all. During a particularly mystical trip to the Kashmir region of India, Martin met a Pakistani who changed his life by saying of the troubles of his country and religion that he would survive as a “citizen of the world.” This became the source of Martin's great spiritual strength and optimism in the face of adversity. While his outlook was global, his knowledge and love of Knoxville and its history was deep. He has been one of Knoxville's true characters in the best sense of the word, teaching intellectual curiosity and humor to generations by example. Martin was a member of Men's Cotillion, a devout member of St. John's Cathedral, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Episcopal School of Knoxville. A funeral service will be 4:00, Friday, October 10, at St. John's Cathedral officiated by Thom Rasnick, John C. Ross, Josh Hill and Chris Hackett. A reception in the Great Hall of the Cathedral will follow. The family would like to thank care givers Allison Kenney, Leon Nedd, Mark Cannon and Chris Reeve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Episcopal School of Knoxville. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

Tributes

Mr. Martin Condon Hunt Jr.

October 8, 2014