Stuart Gregory Hunting Obituary (1926

Stuart Gregory "Stu" Hunting passed away on November 30, 2019 in Port Orchard, Washington. He was 93. Stu was born on March 16, 1926 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Bruce Leon Hunting and Helen Bartholomew Hunting. He spent his childhood in West Seattle, and graduated from Highline High School in 1944. The United States entered the Second World War while Stu was in high school. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Navy, which later sent him to study at the University of Washington as part of their reserve officer training (ROTC) program. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in history, and worked a variety of jobs, including at Seattle Hardware in Pioneer Square. A committed Christian from the age of 19, Stu became interested in becoming a missionary to China. The 1949 revolution in China changed his plans, but he remained interested in the Chinese people and culture for the rest of his life. Stu re-entered the armed forces in 1950 during the Korean War, this time joining the Army. He was stationed in Germany for a time as a member of the 5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company, a new "tactical psychological warfare" unit. He learned offset printing in the company's Publication Platoon, and continued in the trade after his Army discharge. This included about five years printing books and pamphlets for the Navigators, a Christian ministry, at their headquarters at Glen Eyrie, Colorado. Stu then moved westward to Monterey, California, where he printed materials for the school district serving the Army base at Fort Ord. In Monterey he met Marcia Leslie Stoner, an elementary school teacher at Fort Ord. The two married on June 30, 1963, in Marcia's hometown of Kenesaw, Nebraska. With their children Jane and Andrew, Stu and Marcia returned to Stu's hometown of Seattle in 1969, so that Stu could pursue a Master's degree at the University of Washington while operating presses at Moulton Printing downtown. Stu left behind his graduate studies after the birth of daughter Rebecca, and accepted a position as a manager of the Seattle Public Schools print shop in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. As time went on, he also established his own printing and publishing business, HMS Printing Services. Stu was a "people person," always interested in people and concerned for their welfare. Aside from his family, Stu focused on church eldership, providing counsel, and hospitality. He and Marcia opened their home to graduate students from China, Africa, and the Middle East, and were active for years in FIUTS -- the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students -- on the University of Washington campus. Some of the friendships established there would continue long after the students had moved on to careers or other schools. In 1996, Stu and Marcia sold the printing equipment and their Seattle house, and purchased land for a retirement home overlooking Hood Canal near Hansville, Washington. They designed and built a single-story house with extra bedrooms so that they could "age in place" while hosting overnight visitors from Seattle or around the world. Stu always enjoyed Bible study, deep conversations, outdoor activities, hosting international students, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Marcia; their three children: Jane (Glen) Melin of Kingston, Washington; Andrew (Dana) Hunting of Fall City, Washington; Rebecca Hunting (Raymond) Pompon of Wilmington, Delaware; and seven grandchildren.