Obituary for Kenzie Hunter Jr. WATCH VISITATION LIVE CLICK VIDEO TAB IN TRIBUTE Kenzie Hunter, Jr. was born in Russell County, Alabama on March 19, 1935 to the late McKenzie and Nancy (Peterson) Hunter. He was preceded in death by seven sisters, Nancy (Shay) Mickles, Clara (Bit) Wilhight, Bessie Smith, Mary (Maybell) Long, Essie Mae Dillard, Lela Strong and Eula C. Hill; and two brothers, Moses and Fred Hunter. Just as all of the other Hunter children, Kenzie worked the farm land in Alabama until he secured a job in Columbus, Georgia working at Tom Huston Peanut Company.
He later moved to Florida where he did more farm work before finally relocating to Northwest Indiana in 1955. While in Alabama he attended Glenview High School. In recent years, some of his greatest joy came from attending the bi-annual class reunions along with his siblings, nieces, cousins and friends.
Kenzie married Ruby Randolph in the early 1960’s and to this union four sons were born. Ruby preceded him in death. He later reunited with Helen Johnson Browder.
Two daughters were born from this union. Helen preceded him in death. In December 1980, Kenzie united in holy matrimony with Joan Deborah McLaurin.
To this union, one daughter was born. Deborah preceded him in death. Kenzie was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church where he served as a faithful usher for many years.
Kenzie loved his family and he worked hard to provide for them. After over 30 years of service, he retired from the former Youngstown Sheet and Tube/Jones & Laughlin Steel Company. He also served over 50 years as an owner operator of Calumet Barbershop on Alexander Ave in East Chicago, Indiana.
This was the place where most of the town’s tall tales were told. The barbershop was used to shoot a few scenes of the 1986 movie “The Original Gangstas”, starring Fred Williamson, Jim Brown and Pam Grier. Kenzie could be seen cutting hair while his brother Moses could be seen fleeing the barbershop during the fight scene.
Kenzie had a special relationship with each of his children. He enjoyed the trips to Alabama with Darryl where they visited with Craig and other family and friends. He looked forward to talking to John and his family every Sunday and he could not get enough of Grayling’s cooking.
At one time he and Daphne served on the same Usher Board at Friendship Baptist Church. He loved watching sports, the news and talking politics with Denise and believe it or not, he could be found watching Maury and Wendy Williams with Kayendra and her children. Kenzie loved his siblings, cousins and extended family.
On any given Sunday, he and his brother Clarence could be found at their sister Lucinda’s home or their first cousin’s Leroy’s house. During the holidays, if he wasn’t with his biological kids, siblings or nieces, he could be found spending time with his bonus kids; Mary Ella, Mary Anna, Roosevelt, Patricia, Dwayne and Joseph. On Sunday, September 30th Kenzie told his children that he was tired.
The Lord heard him and called him home on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 7:51 AM. He leaves to cherish his memories, four sons, Craig Hunter, Hurtsboro, AL, Darryl Hunter, Gary, IN, Grayling Hunter, Houston, TX and Jonathan (Virginia) Hunter, Eufaula, AL; three daughters Daphne Hunter, Palos Hills, IL. , Denise Hunter, Merrillville, IN and Kayendra (Dillion) Harris, Merrillville, IN; Eleven grandchildren, Ashleigh, Darryl Jr., Sumika, McKenzie, Jonathan, Jr. and Louis Hunter, Michayla Bradley, Zion Alexander, Dondre Wall, , Delleon and Ryley Harris; great granddaughter, Akai Hunter; four sisters Lucinda Irving and Idella (Gene) Brown, Gary, IN, and Christine Hunter and Ella (Willie) Williams, Merrillville, IN; two brothers, Luke (Ernestine) Hunter, Rochester, NY and Clarence Hunter, Merrillville, IN; two sister-in-laws, Bessie Harris and Willie B. Huffman; one brother-in-law, Joe Randolph and of host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kenzie Hunter Jr. WATCH VISITATION LIVE CLICK VIDEO TAB IN TRIBUTE please visit our Sympathy Store. Today’s Events Visitation , OCT 7. 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM Smith Bizzell & Warner Chapel 4209 Grant Street Gary, IN, US Upcoming Events Celebration of Life , OCT 8.
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