Hunter was the first smile I saw when I stepped into the Dean For America Headquarters in Iowa. Over the course of those months on the campaign and after we returned to California we had many good times together. I will miss him, his sparkling personality and wit dearly. Despite the struggles in his life he always had a way to make himself and others laugh. Rest in peace Hunter, i love ya.
I knew Hunter for many years, ever since my volunteer teaching days at EAGLES Center in the early 1990s, and will remember him most for his passion for working to bring about positive change in our society, and make America a better place for all.
Typical of his approach was something he did during Youth Lobby Day one year, when LAUSD’s Gay & Lesbian Education Commission and several other organizations pooled resources to send some 300 LGBT youth to Sacramento so they could speak to legislators. One legislator shut his office door and refused to speak to the young people. So Hunter simply wrote a note, saying that he was old enough to vote and expected to be able to speak to an elected representative, and slipped the note under the door. The door opened, and Hunter got his chance to speak to the legislator’s staff, at least.
He was always imaginative, and determined, and fearless. His efforts to help save the Ahmanson Ranch from development are typical of the breadth of his concerns, and the beauty of that stretch of California land will hopefully remain as a positive symbol of a young man’s battles to make his own life a better place. I think we all get born here many times. If so, Hunter will surely be back, at some point, to pick up the fight where he left off, and carry it to some new horizon.
May you have a good journey, Hunter. My thoughts are with your family and all the others for whom you cared.
I knew Hunter during his childhood years and early adolescence. Hunter’s smile was contagious. He was always thinking of ways to have fun. Dramatic productions were frequent and colorful, and always creative. We enjoyed having him be part of our extended family and friend to our own children. Although I had not seen him for quite some time, he was and ever will be in my memory and heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, may they be comforted in their loss of such a warm spirit.
I had the pleasure of seating next to Hunter at an after AA Dinner with some friends of my roommate and friend. I remember him being friendly, great smile and really fit. I was amased that he sat in the booth with his legs crossed and his conversation was great!.
Why….I just do not understand why he is no longer here to make others feel comfortable as he did me…..
you’re warming smile and gentle soul will forever be missed. Thank you for the many times you made me smile just by simply smiling yourself. I always enjoyed running into you at starbucks. i pray that your soul is at rest and that you’ve found peace. I’m sure you have all the angels smiling just like you made all of us smile. You’re beautiful spirit will live on forever. xo
My memories of Hunter are from his early teens. It was a time of relative innocence that unfortunately we must all leave behind as we confront the realities of the adult world. It was a joy to know Hunter during those earlier years.
After he moved away, our contact was infrequent and brief - I think partially out of a mutual desire to not shatter the treasured memories of those youthful adventures. I was heartened to learn from his father that Hunter still spoke with fondness about the experiences we shared.
For those who knew Hunter more recently, I wish you could have also seen him during those early years, before the fight with his demons grew to such epic proportions. I am glad to know that in his later life Hunter was surrounded by many people who cared about him deeply.
I met Hunter when we were both involved with Los Altos Youth Theater. I can’t remember the first musical we were in together- it may have been The Music Man- or the many different roles he played (Fiddler on the Roof, Brigadoon) but I do remember the many hours of our teenage lives we all spent together as a part of the larger LAYT family, in rehearsals or backstage or going out with the cast and crew to Lyons for french fries. I remember that Hunter always made me laugh, both when he was being himself and also when he was in character.
Hunter was the first smile I saw when I stepped into the Dean For America Headquarters in Iowa. Over the course of those months on the campaign and after we returned to California we had many good times together. I will miss him, his sparkling personality and wit dearly. Despite the struggles in his life he always had a way to make himself and others laugh. Rest in peace Hunter, i love ya.
I knew Hunter for many years, ever since my volunteer teaching days at EAGLES Center in the early 1990s, and will remember him most for his passion for working to bring about positive change in our society, and make America a better place for all.
Typical of his approach was something he did during Youth Lobby Day one year, when LAUSD’s Gay & Lesbian Education Commission and several other organizations pooled resources to send some 300 LGBT youth to Sacramento so they could speak to legislators. One legislator shut his office door and refused to speak to the young people. So Hunter simply wrote a note, saying that he was old enough to vote and expected to be able to speak to an elected representative, and slipped the note under the door. The door opened, and Hunter got his chance to speak to the legislator’s staff, at least.
He was always imaginative, and determined, and fearless. His efforts to help save the Ahmanson Ranch from development are typical of the breadth of his concerns, and the beauty of that stretch of California land will hopefully remain as a positive symbol of a young man’s battles to make his own life a better place. I think we all get born here many times. If so, Hunter will surely be back, at some point, to pick up the fight where he left off, and carry it to some new horizon.
May you have a good journey, Hunter. My thoughts are with your family and all the others for whom you cared.
I knew Hunter during his childhood years and early adolescence. Hunter’s smile was contagious. He was always thinking of ways to have fun. Dramatic productions were frequent and colorful, and always creative. We enjoyed having him be part of our extended family and friend to our own children. Although I had not seen him for quite some time, he was and ever will be in my memory and heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, may they be comforted in their loss of such a warm spirit.
I had the pleasure of seating next to Hunter at an after AA Dinner with some friends of my roommate and friend. I remember him being friendly, great smile and really fit. I was amased that he sat in the booth with his legs crossed and his conversation was great!.
Why….I just do not understand why he is no longer here to make others feel comfortable as he did me…..
Much love to his family!
Kemo Newsome
Recovering Addict
Hunter,
you’re warming smile and gentle soul will forever be missed. Thank you for the many times you made me smile just by simply smiling yourself. I always enjoyed running into you at starbucks. i pray that your soul is at rest and that you’ve found peace. I’m sure you have all the angels smiling just like you made all of us smile. You’re beautiful spirit will live on forever. xo
My memories of Hunter are from his early teens. It was a time of relative innocence that unfortunately we must all leave behind as we confront the realities of the adult world. It was a joy to know Hunter during those earlier years.
After he moved away, our contact was infrequent and brief - I think partially out of a mutual desire to not shatter the treasured memories of those youthful adventures. I was heartened to learn from his father that Hunter still spoke with fondness about the experiences we shared.
For those who knew Hunter more recently, I wish you could have also seen him during those early years, before the fight with his demons grew to such epic proportions. I am glad to know that in his later life Hunter was surrounded by many people who cared about him deeply.
May God bless you with peace Hunter.
I met Hunter when we were both involved with Los Altos Youth Theater. I can’t remember the first musical we were in together- it may have been The Music Man- or the many different roles he played (Fiddler on the Roof, Brigadoon) but I do remember the many hours of our teenage lives we all spent together as a part of the larger LAYT family, in rehearsals or backstage or going out with the cast and crew to Lyons for french fries. I remember that Hunter always made me laugh, both when he was being himself and also when he was in character.
I ache for his family. I am thinking of you all.