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THOMAS ERWIN HUNT
January 12, 1942 ˜ August 8, 2021
Thomas Erwin Hunt was born Jan. 12, 1942, in Oakland, CA, to Wallace Mason Hunt and Barbara Erwin Hunt, and passed away Aug. 8, 2021, in Olympia, WA, surrounded by loving family members.
Tom’s youth was spent in Richland, WA. He had great memories of working long, hot summers with his uncles on the Erwin Brothers wheat ranch in Prescott. On the ranch, Tom learned the importance of a solid work ethic that served him well. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1960, where he played football for the Richland Bombers. While in high school, he had a notable performance as Sakini in the Richland Players’ production of The Teahouse of the August Moon.
Tom’s lifelong love of all things Cougar began at Washington State University in Pullman. There, he found a home in both the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications, graduating in 1964. While attending school, he married Elizabeth Eileen Benoliel. Together they had three sons, Daniel Arthur, Damon Mason and Jason Lawrence.
Tom had a long and successful career in media and public relations. He held many public relations positions, notably as the press secretary to Congressman Mike McCormack (D-WA), as a news anchor with the Cascade Broadcasting Corporation in Yakima and Tri-Cities, as media and public affairs manager for the Atomic Industrial Forum, and as a partner in Bacon & Hunt Public Relations in Portland. Beyond professional life, Tom was active in numerous organizations, including Clark County Historical Society, WSU Foundation, past chair and member of the professional advisory board to WSU’s Murrow School of Communication, Oregon Professional Services Council, and Vancouver Rotary.
Though his reach was broad, Tom never failed to make a genuine connection wherever he went. Tom rarely ever met a stranger and genuinely enjoyed the company of others. He loved a well-told story, a great cup of coffee, and cowboy poetry. He could sing half of the lyrics and hum the rest of every song written by Rogers and Hammerstein or any other classic Broadway musical. Tom cherished his family’s history and collected many sentimental and historical items from earlier generations. His love of family was an integral part of who Tom was. He always beamed with pride while recalling a story about his niece, nephew, kids or grandchildren. He is greatly loved and truly missed.
Tom was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Arthur; and is survived by his sons, Damon and Jason and their families; including grandchildren, Daniel, Robert, Lauren, and Robin.
Services will be held Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland, WA.
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2 Entries
Tom was a fine man! I knew him for years through Rotary and other professional activities. His loss is a loss for our entire community!
Betty Sue Morris
Friend
September 4, 2021
Condolences to Tom's family. I worked for Tom for several years at his powerhouse public affairs firm Mosey/Hunt. Tom was a master of his craft and a real character, in the best sense of that word. Hail fellow well met.
Mike Alesko
August 29, 2021
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Einan's Funeral Home, Inc.915 Bypass Highway P.O. Box 90, Richland, WA 99352
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