Mark Hunter

Mark Henry Hunter, 61, rose up from praising his Savior and walked into His presence on Sunday morning, April 24, 2016 during morning worship at Istrouma Baptist Church.

There will be a service celebrating his life at Istrouma Baptist, 10500 Sam Rushing Dr. on Thursday, May 5, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00. Mark was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and attended Liberty Bible College until "Jerry Falwell personally kicked me out", he loved to say. After short stays at Cedarville College and C.U. in Boulder, he headed to the logging woods where he worked as a professional timber faller. Returning to college, he earned a B.A. in Journalism from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and Masters of Journalism/Mass Communications from the University of Northern Colorado.

Mark had a passion for good journalism, whether working as a radio station news director at KSRM and KCSY in Soldotna, Alaska, or writing news for the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, AK, The Denver Post, or most recently, for the Advocate in Baton Rouge. He also wrote for Baton Rouge Christian Life magazine, World magazine, Louisiana Baptist Message. He gave his life to Christ as a child, and although he could be a little "rough around the edges", his faith in his Savior never wavered and he tried always to be a godly man. Mark and his wife Linda were married 32 years. They started each day together reading a Bible passage, and praying for each other, family and friends, and thanking the Lord for His goodness and grace.

He is survived by Linda, step-sons Ben Kauffeld and wife Alda, and Major Nicholas Kauffeld and their children, Jasmine, Alex, Hunter, and Kaiden; his mother Joanne Hunter, Altoona, PA; three brothers, Tim, Mancos, CO; Dan and wife Lee Ann, Biloxi, MS, and Nate and wife Shari, Cleveland, OH. Also survived by brother and sister in law, Keith and Carolyn LaRose, San Antonio, TX; uncle and aunt Bert and Donna Schultz of Soldotna, AK, special cousin Linda Wenrich, Altoona, PA, and many other dear cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He is also survived by his brothers in Christ, the men of Gulf South Men men's ministry, who supported him and encouraged him to be a godly man, and also by his many friends across the country.

Mark loved timber falling, hunting, shooting his bow, hiking and climbing. He successfully climbed Denali in Alaska in 1977, and several 14'ers in Colorado. His ashes will be scattered in his beloved Colorado Mountains.

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