Van T Hunn, US Air Force Colonel retired, 89, died Friday, 25 February 2022, in Burleson, Texas.
Van was born in Fort Worth and grew up on the family farm in Boyd, Texas. Van joined the US Air Force after getting his AA degree from Arlington State College (now UT Arlington). Van’s military career spanned several overseas tours including service as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam where he flew over 500 missions. During August 1965 in Vietnam, Van saved hundreds of special forces and civilians. His plane was hit seven times. For his valor, Van was awarded the Silver Star.
While in the military, Van earned his Bachelor's degree from Omaha University (now University of Nebraska at Omaha) and his Master’s degree from Boston University.
In addition to two tours at Clark AFB (Philippines), Van also served as an ICBM Crew Commander (Lincoln, Nebraska), an Air Force Instructor Pilot, T-38s, (Del Rio, Texas) and a NATO Inspector (Naples, Italy). After he retired from the Air Force, Van was employed as a pilot for Bloxum Construction. Van later served as a pilot for Conquest Airlines, an Eastern Airlines commuter division out of St. Croix. Van was a master scuba diver and instructor. His diving included adventures in the Philippines, Italy, the Caribbean and the Marshall Islands. With his love of history and airplanes, Van founded an archeological club in Naples, Italy and also joined TIGHAR (The International Group of Historical Aircraft Recovery). He was the lead diver on multiple missions to find Amelia Earhart’s airplane, as well as trips to the Marshall Islands where the team located two US Navy TBD Devastator planes that were lost during WWII.
Van was a proud descendant of S. Rhoads Fisher (Secretary of the Texas Navy and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence). Van was an Admiral in the Texas Navy and a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. He was an avid marathon runner and hiker, spending much time on the trails of his beloved Guadalupe Mountains including hiking the peak many times (twice while he was in his eighties). Van was a talented craftsman, restoring numerous antique cars and trucks and creating beloved personal gifts for his offspring and friends. Van’s volunteerism and philanthropic contributions included services at the Fort Worth Nature Center, Children’s University in Arlington Texas, Northstar School in Arlington Texas, and building a school in the Marshall Islands. Van loved life and believed in living life to its fullest. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep love of nature, the outdoors, and history.
Van was preceded in death by his former wife Clair, his mother Reba, his father O.W., his stepfather Toney, his brothers: Donald, Toney Robert, Jack and Terry and stepdaughter Jennifer (Jeff).
Surviving Van are his wife Ann, daughter Becky of Mansfield, son David (Kay) of Kennedale, daughter Jennifer (Megan) of Mansfield, his sister Mary Ann (Bob) of Azle, brother Russell of Dallas, grandchildren: Dayton, Kellie, Krystal Clair, Jaxton, Dalton, Maddox, Parker; stepgrandchildren Lauren, William, Wilson, Robert and Jasmine; stepdaughters Tabitha Stewart and Catherine Jeffrey (James) of Fredericksburg, former wife Jane Hunn of Fort Worth, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.
In remembrance of Van’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Northstar School 4620 Park Springs Blvd. Arlington, Texas 76017.
A celebration of Van’s life and his legacy will be held at a later date.