Stuart Daniel Hunter

Beloved son and brother, proud Washingtonian, Naval Officer

Lieutenant Stuart Daniel Hunter was born on October 22, 1988 at O’Connor Hospital in Santa Clara, CA – a fourth-generation Santa Claran.

A proud Washingtonian, he climbed Mt. Rainier and graduated from the University of Washington in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After graduation, he earned a contract to enter Navy SEAL training, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 2013, and later rated as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate. His enlisted assignments included Strike Fighter squadrons VFA-15 and VFA-106. He deployed onboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) in 2014, in active combat support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, while attached to VFA-15. On the flight deck of CVN-77, he was an F/A-18C Plane Captain and earned the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia.

Following his enlisted service, he attended Officer Candidate School, was commissioned as an Ensign in January 2017, and designated as a Student Naval Aviator. At Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, FL, he expertly flew the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II fixed-wing trainer in Primary Flight Training and the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger trainer in Advanced Helicopter Training.

After designation as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer, he reported in February 2019 to Strike Fighter squadron VFA-147, the first F-35C Lightning II squadron in U.S. Naval history, and served as the Aircraft Division Officer. His awards and decorations include the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy E Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon, as well as various personal and unit awards.

Outside of work, he enjoyed grilling and smoking meats on his Traeger, golfing, hiking, and his beloved Seattle Seahawks. He was also known for his love of wine tasting and Yeezy sneakers.

He passed away on March 17, 2021 and was laid to rest with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“...it is clear to me Stuart was a remarkable man who was respected and admired by so many.” — Admiral M. M. Gilday, United States Chief of Naval Operations

He is survived by his parents, Kurt and Leslie, his brother Scott, and his sister-in-law Anne.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your generous support and donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.donordrive.com/campaign/Stuart-Hunter-Memorial-Fund).