John Otis Hunter, age 90, of Houston, AL passed away January 9, 2026, at Walker Baptist Hospital in Jasper, Alabama. He was born July 6, 1935 to Bryan and Myrtie Hunter in Houston.
John Otis Hunter served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961, a time that took him across the Pacific from San Diego to Japan. He served aboard aircraft carriers, first the U.S.S. Kearsarge and later the Oriskany, where he worked in aircraft maintenance.
After leaving the Navy, John returned home and built his career, first taking over the family gas station and grocery store in Houston, Alabama and later growing a successful trucking business from one truck to a fleet of more than 30.
Through his military service, work and other travels, John visited all 50 states and traveled internationally as well, but his favorite trips were closer to home — a ride down a Winston County (AL) road teaching his grandchildren how to drive or traveling to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many sporting events and other activities.
John shared 68 years of marriage with his wife, Betty Hunter, both faithful lifelong members of the Methodist church in Houston, AL.
Visitation will be held Monday, January 12, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Double Springs, Alabama, where the service with military honors will be held at 1:00. Burial will take place at Houston Community Cemetery in Houston, Alabama. Brother T. J. Millican will be officiating.
John is survived by his wife, Betty Hunter; daughter, Susan (Howard) Strickler; sons, Carl (Rita) Hunter and Jonathan (Karen) Hunter; grandchildren, Kyle (Laura Ruth) Hunter, Hunter (Lauren) Strickler, Megan Hunter (Ike) Williams, Martin (Carrie) Strickler, Clay (Mallory) Hunter, Jonathan Hunter, Hayden Hunter, and Bryan Hunter; and great-grandchildren, Haleigh Strickler, Brooke Strickler, Claire Strickler, Maggie Strickler, Anna Strickler, Emily Strickler, Jack Williams, Hunter Williams, Eliza Hunter, and Houston Hunter.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bryan and Myrtie Hunter; and his brother, Frank Hunter.