THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Thursday, January 21, 1999

FLAGLER COUNTY STATESMAN, OTIS STONE HUNTER, DIES AT 78

ESPANOLA - Otis Stone Hunter, an elder statesman of Flagler County government and life­long resident of this community northwest of Bunnell, died late Tuesday at Memorial Hospital-Flagler.

Hunter, 78, was a sixth-generation Floridian. He served on the Flagler County Commission from 1960 to 1980 in a span of time that witnessed Flag­ler County change from a sleepy agricultural com­munity to a bustling suburban county.

Hunter's family was one of the first to settle in what is now Flagler County. His father and grandfather also served on the County Commission. His grandfather, James Alderidge Hunter, served on the commission in the 1920’s. His father, E. A. Hunter, served 26 years on the commission during the 1940s and '50s. While in office, Otis Hunter served as chairman of the County Commission for four years.

Although Hunter was an astute politician and worked to create a modern county government structure, he will be remembered for his sense of humor that he doled out at meetings and in con­versations about life and politics in Flagler County.

"He was lovingly referred to as the 'Mayor of Espanola,' " Phyllis Hirschi, said. Hirschi is a county employee and was Hunter's neighbor.

"He will be missed by this community," Bunnell Mayor Joann King said.

Hunter worked as, a forest ranger and resident land manager for several timber companies in Flagler County including Container Corporation of America and Owens Illinois Timber Division forests in Volusia and Flagler counties.

He was instrumental in forming the Espanola Volunteer Fire Department and helped build the first community center in Espanola. In 1980 he was listed in the "First Prominent People in Florida Government."

On the Flagler County Commission he helped implement the Flagler County Building Department, residential zoning ordinance, the Flagler County Ambulance Service, and the Flagler County Fairgrounds. 

A World War II veteran, Hunter took part in the D-Day invasion of Europe at Normandy, France.
He was a past member of the board of directors for the Florida State Civil Defense Council, charter member of the Flagler County Historical Society, charter member of the VFW Post 5213, a member of the First Baptist Church of Bunnell, F &AM Masonic Lodge 200, Bunnell, Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Forestry Association, and a Kentucky Colonel.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Ann Hunter, of Espanola; a brother, Howard Hunter, of Espanola; two sons, Otis S. (Rocky) Hunter Jr. arid Kevin Scott Hunter Sr., of Bunnell; a daughter, Zena Marine Rende, Navarre, Fla.; and six grandchildren.

Craig Funeral Home in charge.

DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Thursday, January 12, 1999

Graveside funeral service for Otis Stone Hunter, Sr., 78, North Old Dixie, Espanola, who died Jan 19, 1999 at Memorial Hospital Flagler in Bunnell will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Espanola Cemetery with the Masons and VFW presiding.
           
Visitation will be today (Thursday) from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Craig Funeral Home. Otis Stone Hunter, Sr., a lifetime resident of Espanola, was one of the first pioneer families of Espanola.
           
Mr. Hunter was retired as a forest ranger and resident manager for Container Corporation of America and later Owens Illinois Timber Divisions Forest in Flagler and Volusia counties. A sixth generation Floridian, he also served as City Commissioner of Bunnell and was a veteran County Commissioner from 1960 to 1980; he then retired from politics.
           
Mr. Hunter helped to implement the County Building Department, zoning ordinances of residential, industrial and commercial zones to existing property in the county.  Mr. Hunter also helped to develop the County Ambulance, County Landfill, and Flagler County Fairgrounds.
           
Mr. Hunter was instrumental in the formation of Espanola Volunteer Fire Department onf Fen 28, 1874 and he was a past member of the Board of Directors for Florida State Civil Defense Council for Flagler County, He was a charter member and past president of Flagler County Historical Society, charter members of VFW Post 5213, member of the First Baptist Church of Bunnell, and 40 year member of F&AM Masonic Lodge, Bunnell.
           
Mr Hunter was a member of Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Forestry Association, Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and Kentucky Colonel.  Mr. Hunter was a four year veteran of World War II, participated in the D-Day invasion of Europe at Normandy, France and was listed in the 1980 "First Prominent People in Florida Government.
           
Survivors include his wife, Susan Ann Hunter, Espanola: children, Otis S Hunter, Jr. (Rocky), Bunnell, Kevin Scott Hunter, Sr., Zena Marie Rende, Navarre, FL and six grandchildren.
           
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler Counties, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32119.  Craig Funeral Home in Bunnell is in charge of arrangements.

NOTE:  He was also survived by his brother Howard, Espanola