Russell C. Hunter Jr., 91, longtime resident of the Sandpoint, Idaho, area, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, after a decline in health from congestive heart failure.

Russ leaves behind his wife, Doris, at their family home in Gardnerville, Nev.; daughter Gail (Roger), of Minden, Nev., son Alan, of Rathdrum, Idaho; brothers John (Anne) and David (Kay), both of California, his beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Russ, a fifth-generation Californian, was born in Santa Barbara on Jan. 29, 1926, to Russell and Ruth Hunter, the eldest of three boys. After schooling he served as an aviation ordnanceman in the U.S. Navy in the Philippines during World War II. He then became a California Highway patrolman, where he met Doris, who worked in the office as a secretary. They married in 1950 and enjoyed 66 devoted years together. Russ and Doris owned and operated The Burger Drive-In in Buellton until Russ packed up the family and moved to Sandpoint in 1967. Both Russ and Doris worked until retirement for the Alpine Shop, where he was a boat and ski mechanic. He also spent two seasons working on the Alaska pipeline and was manager of (Roy Self) Tackle International.

Russ was an avid outdoorsman who loved to ski, hunt and fish, enjoying many trips to southern Idaho, Montana and South Dakota for deer and elk hunting, fishing, and varmint hunting in his retirement. Russ’ easygoing and friendly personality gained him friends wherever life took him.

He was an active volunteer with both the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Russ attended New Song Bible Church.

The family has observed his passing privately. Family and friends are invited to visit Russ’ complete online memorial and share a memory or condolence in the Book of Memories at waltonsfuneralhomes.com.