John Alan Hunnicutt was born January 4, 1946 in Huntington, IN and passed in peace on June 14, 2018 in Tucson, AZ. His family moved to Tucson shortly after his birth, making him nearly a native of Tucson. He was a proud graduate of Salpointe Catholic High School where he fostered his competitive spirit and love of sports by playing football and continued to play at Central Arizona College. He attended the University of Arizona, earning a degree in Business Administration, solidifying his lifelong love of the Wildcats, and became the first of his family to graduate from college.
He had a varied and colorful professional career, starting with the Chicago railroad as a brakeman, prompting his return to college. After earning his CPA and practicing professionally, he quickly moved into entrepreneurial ventures, which were his true professional love and gift. John came to know entrepreneurial success as a founder of multiple software development companies long before owning a personal computer was commonplace. He founded Timesharing Consultants and Magnum Computer Corporation yet most notable was the formation of Magcard, Inc., a pioneer in the credit card industry and employed many Tucsonans. He established and managed many other endeavors whether they be telecom, restaurants, construction or media, including his most recent passion with the Arizona Daily Independent, where he became an impactful advocate of community issues ranging from education to the border and the protection of the A-10 squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB.
For many years he enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Whether it was water skiing, fishing, hunting or a round of golf with the rare score below 100, he enjoyed it to the fullest. His appetite for the game was never dampened by his ability. He was known as “Gus” or “Bear” to those from his childhood and schooling and always had a contagious smile on his face when you ran into him for the first time in years or saw him the day before. ”Papa” was a wonderful and loving grandfather to all ten of his grandchildren spending countless hours watching their sporting events, attending their concerts and most recently chess matches.
John was generous and optimistic through and through. Those who had the fortune of knowing him personally and professionally can easily recall many stories or events of his unwavering belief in the good which was inevitably just around the corner. He gave back to his community through the years as a member of the Rotary Club and St. Pius X Catholic Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Loretta (Vosberg) of 11 years, his step-son David Gutman, his mother Janice (Brown), his daughter Jennifer (Chris 2015) Ferrell of Tucson, their children Olivia and Carter, son John (Cathy) Hunnicutt of Nashville, TN, their children Gwendolyn, Allison, and Ella, step-daughter Darla (Chris) Greer and their children Brian, Steven, Katie, Corrin and Bradley, brother Robert (Debbie) Hunnicutt, sisters Rose (Bill) Gleeson, Katherine (Billy 2016) Moyer, Gail (George) Hoyos, Margi (Mark 2007) White and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father John (1979) and his brother Ross (1974).
His life will be celebrated with a mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N Camino Pío Décimo, Tucson, AZ 85715 on Thursday, June 21 at 11:00 am.