Thomas H. Hunter

Thomas H. “Tom” Hunter, 78 of Devils Lake ND passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, January 5, 2025 at Valley Senior Living Center in Grand Forks, ND.

An Open House Celebration of Life for Tom will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Knights Of Columbus Hall, Devils Lake ND. The service will be at 1:00 p.m. followed by Military Honors. Lunch, refreshments and sharing of memories will follow the Military Honors also at the KC Hall. 

Thomas Howard Hunter, son of Wheaton Ray and Phebi Ann (Rasmusson) Hunter was born on November 12, 1946 at Drayton, ND. He grew up in the Crystal, ND area, attended Crystal Public School and graduated from Crystal High School. 

Tom entered the United States Army and proudly served his country stateside and in Germany. His specialty was in Communications (a cryptographer) and that would continue as his focus in civilian life. Tom was honorably discharged on November 25, 1967 with the rank of Specialist 4. 

After his discharge, Tom returned to North Dakota. He first worked with Boeing at Nekoma, ND and then began working for several telephone companies, such as Polar Communications, ConTel, GTE, and retired from NDTC as each company was bought out by another. Tom started as a lineman, but he advanced through the ranks and was a Senior Engineer when he retired in 2009. He was instrumental in the development of several projects with NDTC, including “Call Before You Dig”, fiberoptics into area businesses and homes, the starting of North Plains Utility Contracting along with good friend Robin Ness. He was always looking for ways to improve and advance the communication systems of the area. 

Tom was at one time married to Linda Goodoien and they were the proud parents of Angie, Jason, and Douglas. 

In his off-times, Tom enjoyed golf. He loved the game, but more than anything he loved the time spent with family and friends playing the game. He was a frequent customer at Cedar Inn Restaurant, again visiting with old friends and making new ones. Many stories were shared about the “Road Tripping Adventures” with his brothers. 

Tom was all about family. He had 10 brothers and sisters but his motto was always “the more the merrier”. He never wanted to leave anyone out of any event or gathering. 

Tom certainly had many health challenges these past fourteen years, but he pushed through them, and made the best of any situation. He treasured each and every moment spent with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. He made several life changing decisions, just days before his passing, but only after talking to his family, assuring them of his love for them all, and receiving their support. His famous words in life, brought the family peace in his death; “I’m calling it a day”! Rest in peace dear Dad. 

Tom is survived by his loving family. His children Angie (Brad) Nichols, Devils Lake, Jason (Amber) Hunter, also of Devils Lake and Douglas (Amy) Hunter, Emerado, ND; eight grandchildren Emberly (Zach) Russell and Brianna (Brady) Ash/Gabriella, Ryder and Hudson Hunter/Isabella and Larkin Hunter and August Cichy-Hunt; two great grandchildren Eslie and Eli Russell; sister Carol O’Keefe, Fargo ND; brothers Ray Hunter and Jerry (Deb) Hunter all of Grand Forks, ND, Paul (Becky) Hunter, Minnesota, Don Hunter, Helena, MT; sister-in-law Virginia Hunt, Wyoming; much loved foreign exchange student Luisa Klein Ettinghausen of Germany; and many precious nieces and nephews. 

He was reunited with his parents, son-in-law Brian Holtz, siblings George Hunter, Jim (Mary Beth) Hunter, Ted Hunter, Leila Gullickson and Lloyd Hunter, brother-in-law Paul O’Keefe. 

A special thank you to the staff of Valley Senior Living and his best friend Eva Garza for their loving care and kindness shown to Tom.