With great sadness we share the death of Clayton Hunt, of Centre Island, Oyster Bay, age 83, who passed peacefully in his sleep on May 5, 2014. Clayton was born on Feb. 12, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was son of the late Sara Elizabeth Hunt (nee Marsden) and Forrest Griffith Hunt. He was a graduate of St. Louis Country Day School and attended both Washington University in St. Louis and University of Missouri at Columbia. He graduated with a dual major in statistics and industrial engineering.
Clayton served eight years in the US Army artillery, achieving the rank of captain. He was in charge of one of the first US Nike Missile battalions in both in the US and Germany. During his army tenure he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.
After serving in the army, Clayton embarked on a long career with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith retiring a Senior Resident Vice President. In retirement, Clayton served as a Trustee for the Village of Centre Island.
Always an avid traveler, Clayton and his wife of 58 years, Molly, enjoyed their retirement traveling around the world and building on his already extensive knowledge of and experience with different world cuisines.
Above all Clayton adored Molly, his two sons, Clayton and John, daughter-in-law Karen, and four grandchildren, Clayton, Caroline, Harrison and Katrina, to whom he was their adored “Pop.”
All who knew him considered him to be a towering figure physically as well as in intellect, achievement, curiosity, fairness and kindness to others. Above all, he was a true gentleman.
Visitation held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, Glen Cove. A memorial service was held at Christ Church in Oyster Bay.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made either to the Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay or to the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.
