Josiah Hunter Sr

Lt. Josiah “Joe” W. Hunter, Sr., CDOC Ret.

Josiah “Joe” Wallace Hunter, Sr., 78, died peacefully on November 14, 2025, at his home in Cañon City, CO.

Joe was born on March 18, 1947, in W. Brentwood, Long Island, NY, to Dr. Harold Wallace Hunter., Sr., and Dr. Nadine Denison Hunter.

Survivors include his daughters, Amanda Hunter (Richard Schulte), Heather Hunter Smith (Justin), both of Indianapolis, IN.; his son, CPO Josiah Wallace “Skip” Hunter Jr., USN-Ret.  (Marcey) of Norfolk, VA; and stepdaughter, Denese Dallas; his grandsons, Gage Hunter (Jessica) and Colin Smith, of Indianapolis; great-grandchildren, Silas Hunter and Nevaeh Eldridge, both of Indianapolis; his siblings, Sara Swift (Arby) of Port Crane, NY, Martha Stranford (Gerald) of Albuquerque, NM, Helen Hunter of VT, Rev. James Hunter (Jeannine) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Rev. Wolcott Hunter (Terry) of New Port Richey, FL; and honorary daughter, Michelle Lynn of Pueblo, CO.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Frances “Fran” Gottlieb Hunter; his first wife and the mother of his children, Diana Stewart Hunter; his grandson, Steven Hunter; his great-granddaughter, Raylee Hunter; and his siblings, H. Wallace “Wally” Hunter, Jr., Nadine Hunter, and Melville Hunter (Cindy).

Joe graduated from Kenyon College with a B. A. degree in Political Science. He moved to Colorado with his family in 1979 where he retired from the Colorado Department of Corrections after 29 years of proud service to the people of Colorado, earning the rank of Lieutenant, as well as the respect of inmates, his peers and supervisors alike.

Following the family tradition, Joe became active in Scouting early in life and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Joe was an exceptionally gifted gunsmith and carpenter. He was passionate about his Scottish ancestry and was a lifelong member of Clan Hunter. He was a 3rd Degree Master Mason in the Genesee Valley Masonic Lodge in NY.

Joe was proud to be a descendant of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Oliver Wolcott of CT, and Samuel Chase of MD.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of service, patriotism and devotion to family. He also enjoyed “stirring things up,” and political discussions with him were often colorful, usually maddening, but always earnest, funny and hopeful. He was devoted to his adopted home of Colorado.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 21, at 11 am., at Holt Funeral Home, 806 Macon Ave., Cañon City, with full CDOC color guard, and Virginia Franklin, piper. The service will also be streamed via Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/josiah.hunter.7.   A gathering of family and friends will immediately follow at World’s End Brewing, 331 Main St., Cañon City. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joe’s memory to The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) at https://cpof.org/, or Scouting America at https://www.scouting.org/.

We will miss you - father, brother and friend.

Scottish Gaelic - Gàidhlig                                English - Buerla

Dol dhan taigh, dol dhan taigh                       Going to the dwelling, going to the dwelling

Dol dhan taigh bhuan leat                              Going to the eternal dwelling with you

Dol dhan taigh, dol dhan taigh                       Going to the dwelling, going to the dwelling

Dol dhan taigh bhuan leat                              Going to the eternal dwelling with you

Dol dhan taigh, dol dhan taigh                       Going to the dwelling, going to the dwelling

Dol dhan taigh bhuan leat                              Going to the eternal dwelling with you

Dol dhan taigh Geamhraidh                            Going to the winter dwelling

Dol dhan taigh Samhraidh                              Going to the summer dwelling

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josiah Hunter Sr, please visit our floral store.