Wayne Howard Hunter, 84, or “Cowboy” as he loved to be called, passed away on January 18, 2022, after a long, full life. Wayne was a recent resident at Riverview Estates in Marquette, formerly living in Lyons, KS.

Wayne was born on December 29, 1937, the 4thof 8 children born to Joseph W. and Dorothy M. (Stratman) Hunter on the family farm in Rice County near Geneseo, KS. He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1956.

Wayne married Joy Sanders in 1962 and they were blessed with three children: Wayne H. Hunter, Jr. (Sonny), Kristina Ann Hunter, and Jeffrey James Hunter. Wayne and Joy later divorced.

Wayne worked on the family farm in the early years and on dairies and farms in Kansas. Wayne eventually drove trucks including delivering Medina products for his dad’s business as well as delivering for Columbia Windows & Doors, Lindsborg. He truly loved truck driving and delivered grain to elevators on semis into his 70s.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: John Warren Hunter, Velta Joyce Hunter, Estelle Schmidt, Joan Kruse, Clayton Hunter, Homer Hunter, and son-in-law, Ed Nelson.

Wayne is survived by: his children, Sonny Hunter (Kathy Burton), Geneseo, KS, Kris Nelson, Temple, TX, and Jeff Hunter (Keitha), Lubbock, TX, his grandchildren: Nancy Nelson, Michael Nelson, Crystal Hunter, Lance Hunter, Ashley (Hunter) Harrison, 11 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 8 step great grandchildren, Wayne’s sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Scott Gray, Salina, KS, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Wayne was a long-time fan of Barton Community College basketball and until recently didn’t miss many home games. He loved rodeos and attended as many as possible all over Kansas yearly.

Per Wayne’s wishes, he will be cremated, his ashes scattered, and he requested no funeral service. A celebration of his life may be announced later for friends and family.

Memorials may be made to Wayne’s church, King’s Cross Church, 212 S. Pioneer St., Lyons, KS 67554, Barton Community College Athletic Dept., or the donor’s choice.