Andrew Paul Hunte
Services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Hunte Learning Center, Goodman, under the direction of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson. Burial in Coral Ridge Cemetery in Barbados, West Indies. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the Chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin.
Pastor Jeremie Bridges will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, 602 S. Byers Ave., Joplin.
Escorts are Ryan Boyle, Mark Taylor, Steve Rook, John Jonson, Bob Forcum, Andrew Paul Bartholomew, Mike Overstreet and Gustavo Martinez. Honorary escorts are Paul Bartholomew, Jason Morris, Darrell Offutt and Virgil Kiser.
Andrew Paul Hunte, 70, was born Dec. 15, 1944, on the West Indies island of Barbados, the son of Francis Audley and Alison Eullalie Hunte. He died Feb. 22, 2015, at his home in Joplin of cancer, surrounded by his family.
He played the keyboards and was a member of the popular Bajan band, The Tropical Islanders, who opened for Chicago at Madison Square Garden.
He professionally bred and showed multiple dog breeds in Canada and the United States. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling, cooking, gardening, exotic fish keeping, sailing and most of all his children and grandchildren.
Of all his passions and achievements, none compared to his love, dedication and commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He dedicated most of his adult life to the betterment of the pet industry overall and specifically canines. In the ’80s he owned and operated state-of-the-art pet stores in Florida. Drawn by his desire to improve the purebred puppy profession he moved to Missouri in 1988. He managed and eventually owned kennel facilities there and in 1996 established The Hunte Corporation. Led by his relentless pursuit of excellence The Hunte Corporation became the world's leading puppy provider.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Gina; five daughters: Laurie Hunte, Lisa and husband, Chris Low, Louise and husband, Paul Bartholomew, Jessica and husband, Steve Rook, and Tara Hunte; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Jacque, Stephanie, Laura, Cassie, Chanise, Andrew, Georgia, Hunter, Victoria, Veronica, Alexa, Sampson, Oliver, Eva, John and Tucker; a brother, David and wife, Ruth Hunte; and two sisters: Bettee Bayley and Ann and husband, Mike Carter.
