Jimmy Lynn Hungerford

Jimmy Lynn Hungerford, 73, of West Asheville, died on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at home. A native of Rogersville, TN, Mr. Hungerford was a son of the late Thomas Milton and Louise Wilson Hungerford. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Helen Price. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1953. He then became a member of the 81st Army Reserve Unit and entered the U.S. Army in 1955. He took AIT at Ft. Devens, MA with the U.S. Army Security Agency. His first tour was in Gamble, Alaska. He served numerous America Embassies across the world where he briefed Heads of States and other dignitaries. He also served on four of the seven continents during his 23-year career with the U.S. Army, including tours in Teheran, Iran, Madrid, Spain, and Cairo, Egypt. A scout during his teen years, and a lifelong supporter of scouts, Jimmy was personally honored with an award given to him by Ambassador John P. Humes, in Vienna, Austria as founder and scoutmaster of Troop 427 BSA when his tour of duty at American Embassies ended. Soon after, he was requested to form a troop in Morocco. He was also nominated for the Silver Beamer Award. He was an Order of Arrow member, and was asked to be an Arabic linguist for the State Department, following September 11, 2001. A staunch Democrat, Jimmy was always involved in political campaigns and ran the office in Asheville for “Jimmy Who,” former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. He was very proud of his abilities to improve his communities wherever he lived. Jimmy was founder of the Pioneers Dance Club, as well as an active member and teacher of Western-style square dancing in WNC. Mr. Hungerford is survived by his wife of 50 years, Martha Alexander Hungerford; daughters, Cynthia Hungerford _Belinda Salvidar), Brenda Gail Ploss (Charlie), and Teresa Jones (Chris); son, James Hungerford (Kim); sisters, Lois Head and Loette Helton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bruce and Joy Alexander, Lois and Jim Woody, and Brenda and Mark Arey; grandchildren, Brooke Alexandra Hungerford, James Riley Hungerford, Kathryn Adelle Jones, and Lauryn Nicole Jones; step-grandchildren, Charles Martin Ploss and Corey Ryan Ploss; step-great-grandchildren, Charles Andrew, Tyler, Owen, Carson, Calan, and Annabella; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. James Grant officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery with military rites performed by the Buncombe Co. Veteran’s Council Memorial Team, and an Honor Guard provided by the Buncombe Co. Sheriff’s Department. His family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 550, Charlotte, NC 28210.