Amos Burnell Hunt, age 84, peacefully slipped from mortality on August 1, 2022, in his home in Spanish Fork, Utah. On his last day of life, he was surrounded by his wife and children as they reminisced, laughed, cried, prayed, and thanked Heavenly Father for such a worthy husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Burnell was born May 30, 1938, in Cedar City, Utah, to Jonathan and Agnes Hunt. He spent his childhood in southern Utah, loved by his father and mother, his four brothers, and his little sister. In high school, he performed in the high school operetta and played basketball, being named the Deseret News Mr. Basketball his senior year. He drove truck as part of the family business, hauling hay to California. He rode bulls and bareback broncos on the rodeo circuit under the assumed name Randy Rivers, so his mom wouldn’t worry about him when he rode.

He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1957 and approached his parents and expressed his desire to serve a mission. They were thrilled with his desire to serve the Lord. His mother told him, “I will scrub toilets to get you there.” Burnell was called to serve in the West Central States Mission. Early on he wrote in his journal, “I can see already, this will be my life.” It certainly proved prophetic. The rest of his life was spent in service to the Lord.

Amos Burnell Hunt was sealed for eternity to the beautiful Velma LaRea Waite on September 2, 1961, in the St. George, Utah Temple. They were married for nearly 61 years and Burnell gave his children the precious gift of loving their mother with all his heart.

Burnell taught seminary and institute classes for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 37 years. His assignments included teaching seminary at the Ogden Reform School and Weber High Seminary, coordinating CES programs in Indiana, and teaching institute in Cedar City, Utah. He loved young people, loved the gospel, and changed lives through his teaching – and matchmaking.

Burnell’s church service included serving as bishop three times, high council, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, and mission president for the Philippines Cabanatuan Mission from 1996-1999. The missionaries loved President and Sister Hunt and frequently came to visit right up to the day before he passed away.

Burnell is survived by his wife, Velma, his five children: Randy (Robyn), Curtis (Linda), Sandy (Eric), Lorie (Clay), and Shawn (Mandy), his 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and his brother, Val. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Jonathan and Agnes Hunt, his siblings Reed, Billie, Paul, and DeAnna, and his lifelong friend, Truce Truman.

The family would like to thank Maple Creek Hospice for their outstanding care, love, and support during the family’s time of need, especially Karen and Cynthia who were angels to Mom and Dad. The family also wants to express their deepest gratitude to members of the Spanish Oaks Ward for their great kindness, love, and service.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home in Spanish Fork. Another viewing will be held on Saturday, August 13 from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 989 South Spanish Fork Parkway, Spanish Fork, Utah.