Rev. Michael "Mike" Ray Hunter

Memorial services for Reverend Michael Ray "Mike" Hunter, 70, of Huntsville, formerly of Lufkin, will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Christian Church of Lufkin. Reverend Cory Glover will officiate. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Rev. Hunter was born on December 25, 1954, in Lubbock, Texas, to the late Gladys Geneva (Gilbert) and Bobby Ray Hunter. He passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his residence.

From an early age, Mike pursued excellence in academics, sports, and service. In high school, he helped lead his Morton High School Indians basketball team to the State Championship in 1972. They returned to the State Tournament the following year but fell in the first round. He often shared stories from those years fondly—even the year they lost—believing there was always a lesson to be learned in every experience. Mike's passion for ministry also began in high school, where he served as chaplain for his student council.

Mike earned degrees from Wayland Baptist University (Bachelor of Music) and Stephen F. Austin State University (Master of Arts in Vocal Performance). His dedication to professional development was evident through his extensive continuing education in preaching, program development, and stewardship. A prolific author on stewardship matters, Mike conducted workshops for local congregations on this crucial subject.

His unwavering commitment to continuous learning and excellence was further demonstrated by his credentials as a Certified Educator and a Certified Church Administrator Fellow with the National Association of Church Business Administrators (NACBA) and The Church Network. His contributions extended beyond the pulpit, as he actively served on various nonprofit boards and held four appointments to the Regional Committee on Ministry for the Christian Church in the Southwest. Notably, he was elected as chair of this committee for a four-year term from 2019 to 2022, playing a pivotal role in overseeing the ordination and standing of clergy for the 434 Disciple congregations in Texas and New Mexico. Throughout his career, he remained deeply committed to mentoring individuals seeking ordination.

Mike was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Always a pastor, even in retirement, he had recently begun sharing wisdom from his “Church on the Porch.” This porch, surrounded by the garden he planted with his grandchildren, Xander and Cadence, was a place of peace and prayer for him. He continued to share his love of sports by coaching Xander’s Upward Basketball team. Always the pastor, always the coach, always the mentor—he will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have known him.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cora (Enid) Hunter of Huntsville; daughters, Micah Rae James and fiancé Charles Roberts of Norman, Oklahoma, and Cameron Seale and husband Jessie of Huntsville; grandchildren, Oden James, Zoey James, Cadence Seale, and Xander Seale; sister, Belinda Gibson and husband Sam of Amarillo; brothers, Tully Hunter and wife Ann of Loganville, Georgia, and Joe Bob Hunter and wife Angel of Burlington, Wisconsin; as well as a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Paul Hunter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Christian Church Foundation, ATTN: Mike and Enid Hunter Fund, P.O. Box 1007, Indianapolis, IN 46206, or given online at https://christianchurchfoundation.org/donate/, (choose In Memory), ATTN: Mike and Enid Hunter Fund.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.