Carl Jay Hunt, 69, passed away on June 16, 2025 at Cheyenne County Village in St.
Francis, Kansas.
Carl was born on January 11, 1956 in Satanta, Kansas. He was the oldest child of
Charley and Leona (Larrew) Hunt. They lived in Sublette, KS, Needles, CA, and Las Animas,
CO, until they settled in Goodland, KS when he was six years old.
He graduated from Goodland High School with the class of 1974.
Carl was a Truck Driver, and he traveled over 5 million miles in a 40 year career. He
worked for Ray Zweygdart in Cheyenne County, KS in the late 1970s. Then he drove for Lee
Orhman out of Benkelman, NE in the 80s. In the early 90s, Carl worked for Steve Yost out of
Haigler, NE. He then worked for M&A Barnett out of Gem, KS. In 2003, he started at Crete
Carriers and drove for them out of North Platte, NE until he retired in 2017.
In 1987, he met Gina Merklin in Benkelman, NE. They fell in love and they were married
on June 27, 1987. Carl had a daughter, Jessica, from a previous marriage and Gina had two
daughters, Holly and Stephane, also from a previous marriage. Carl adopted Holly and
Stephane in 1996. Gina and Carl had two kids of their own: a daughter, Cara, born in 1991, and
a son, Jasper, born in 2003.
Carl was a loving Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather. He
enjoyed listening to old country music, watching Oklahoma football, and being able to help
babysit his grandchildren. Carl instilled in his kids that hard work will always see them through,
and to make sure you can provide for your family, and be there for your family no matter what.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Charley and Leona Hunt. Sisters: Betty Hoss
and Lea Dean, and a granddaughter, Annabelle Bryan.
Survivors include: his loving wife, Gina Hunt of St. Francis, KS; Daughters: Holly and
Dustin Bryan of Rocky Ford, CO, Jessica and Fred Durham of Hays, KS, Stephane and Mike
Workman, Cara and Ryan Agan of St. Francis, KS; and son, Jasper Hunt of Curtis, NE; Sister
Sherry and Terry Petersen of El Dorado, KS; 11 grandchildren, a great-grandson, many nieces
and nephews, and many friends.
Visitation will be held on June 27 from 2-5 P.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in St. Francis,
KS. Internment will be at Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, NE on June 28 at 10 A.M.
Central time/ 9 A.M. Mountain time.