John W. Hunt, Sr., 80, passed away from heart failure Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, in Lakeland.

Born Nov. 6, 1932, in Lake Wales, he was the son of the late Charles M. and Dorothy Williamson Hunt.

Mr. Hunt was a U.S. Army veteran.

Mr. Hunt was a long-time Agricultural Real Estate Appraiser and a Land Manager.

Mr. Hunt earned a B.S.A and M.S.A from the University of Florida in Agricultural Engineering and Animal Nutrition and Soils. He was a ranch manager of 30,000 acres for 10 years. He was designated an ARA #664 Accredited Rural Appraiser and a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 1984, a Senior Livestock Appraiser #665, member of the International Society of Livestock Appraisers in 1985, a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1973.

Mr. Hunt was also a member of many organizations including the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, the Bartow Association of Realtors, Past President and Realtor of the year in 1986, Past President and 31 year Supervisor of the Polk County Soil Conservation District, Past District Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Florida Association of Conservation, Florida Cattlemen Association, Past County Director of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association, Past President of the Florida Beef Cattle Improvement Association, Past President of the American Red Brangus Association, Past Councilman of the American Society of Range Management, and a member of Florida Society of Range Management, and a Past President of the Soil and Water Conservation District for the State of Florida and a Past Chairman of the Florida Forestry Advisory Council by Governor’s appointment .

He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Bartow.

Mr. Hunt is survived by two sons; John W. Hunt, Jr., and David C. Hunt and wife, Beth, and his former spouse, Kathleen C. Hunt, all of Bartow.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 3 from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will follow Friday Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 W. Stuart St., Bartow.

Interment will follow at Lake Wales Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the church at the same address.

Arrangements are being handled by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow.

Condolences to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com.