Kerry Hunter

Kerry Dwayne Hunter

Heaven gained an incredible angel when Kerry passed from this earthly plane Friday afternoon, September 25, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his fiancée, Patti, his brother Dennis and wife Joanne, and his faithful canine companion, Lily. Although he fought a 6 year battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, if you asked him how he was doing, he would always cheerfully and positively respond, “If I was any better, I’d have to be twins.”

Kerry Dwayne Hunter was born July 23, 1952 in Albuquerque, NM to Roy L. Hunter Jr. and Zella Mae Weeden Hunter. He was the youngest of three boys.

Kerry’s lifelong passion was to make others dreams come true.

Kerry lived a full life of doing it not only “his way” but offering assistance and support to his family and many others in Roswell and beyond. As a youth, he was very involved with DeMolay, an organization sponsored by the Free Masons, obtaining the position of Master Counselor. Throughout the years, he went on to sponsor many youths in the FFA community in their growth and development, many times buying the very livestock they raised and auctioned at the fair, only to give it back after he purchased it. He believed in giving to many charitable organizations, as well.

Kerry graduated from Robert H. Goddard High School in 1970. He went on to graduate from ENMU in Portales where he received his degree in Business Administration in Finance.

Kerry was a man of many hats. His first job after graduation was an accountant with the IRS in Clovis. Then, his love of motorcycles and fast cars took him back to Roswell, where he opened his business, Off-Road Enterprises with his oldest brother, Roy. He sold exciting and innovative speed equipment and upgrades to off-road and car enthusiasts far and wide. Another side business began with the building of custom Porsche headers with his dear friend, Mark Wilson. He also assisted Roy with his computer business by setting up businesses with accounting programs in several states.  It was one of those clients that introduced and hired him into their oil business. Ultimately, the oil business led him back home to Roswell permanently, where he went to work for Harvard Petroleum as their Chief Financial Officer and business partner for the past 35 years. In addition, Kerry was the founding principle of Hunter Creek Farms, a premier foaling facility, along with his former wife, Susan.

Ever the car enthusiast, he bought many and participated in numerous races with the Porsche Car Clubs of America. Entering and attending car shows was his passion. His Porsche GT3 and Shelby Cobra scored him several awards over the years. He shared his love of cars with his best friend of 50 years, Bob Atkinson.

Although Kerry was married twice before, he ultimately found his way back to his fiancée Patti, his dear friend for over 50 years. He never had children of his own, but always loved her children, Holly and Shane, as if they were his own. Needless to say, he referred to Holly’s children, Olivia and Elijah, as his grand babies. He developed a relationship with Patti’s mom and dad, Mary and Mutt Jones, decades ago, as well, calling them his second mom and dad.

Kerry was preceded in death by his father and mother in 1984, his oldest brother Roy L. Hunter III in 2016, his nephew, Sean Hunter in 2018, and his second mom, Mary Jones in 2013. He is survived by his middle brother Denny and wife Joanne and their daughter, Brandi, her boys, Hunter, Parker, and Gaven, his sister-in-law, Nancy, niece, Sabrina, great niece, Caitlyn, his fiancée, Patti Jones and her children Holly Ybarra and husband BJ, Shane Stamps and wife Melissa, grandchildren, Olivia and Elijah Ybarra, second dad, Mutt Jones, cousins, Roger and Gloria Davis and numerous other family members and dear friends.

Kerry’s wishes were to be cremated, with no services. A celebration of his amazing life will be planned for friends and family at a future date when COVID restrictions are lifted.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Chaves County FFA, 700 E. Country Club Rd., Rowell, NM 88201, Roswell Community Kitchen, 111 E. Deming St, Roswell, NM 88203, Roswell Historical Museum, 200 N. Lea Ave., Roswell, NM 88201 or a charity of your choice.