Don Earl Hunsaker

Don E. Hunsaker died quietly at his home on Saturday, November 27, 2021, with his beautiful family at his side. He was 84 years old. Don was born on Sunday, July 4, 1937, in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona to his parents, the late Leo Earl and Emma (McLaws) Hunsaker.

Don joined the Air Force at the young age of 17 and served for 4 years, including time in Japan and Korea. After an honorable discharge, he married Cheryl Beaumont. They had four children together but unfortunately their marriage later ended in divorce.

He met and married the love of his life, Jeanne, on January 29, 1969 in North Hollywood California. They had been married for 49 blissful years, at the time of her passing on December 8, 2018.  Don was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed serving in many different callings and positions. He and Jeannie served 2 missions for the church; one to the Mesa Arizona Temple and one to the Mexico City Temple, of which they loved. They also loved to vacation and travel to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, England, Israel, Greece, Turkey, etc. Don always said that he loved to travel because he could get away from work and stress. The only problem with that was that he was addicted to work and stress! He loved to work!

After settling in Show Low, Don became the founder and owner of Sentry Fire and Welding in 1974. Don loved serving his community in many ways. He was a member of the Show Low Rotary Club and a member of the Show Low City Council. He relied on his experience, where he had spent 17 years as a firefighter in Glendale, CA and he taught many firefighter classes to the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Don enjoyed watching game shows on TV and also all sports, especially football. He loved eating out, especially Mexican food. Don had 5 timeshares in Mexico and loved vacationing there. He often took loads of supplies and medical equipment down to help all of the people in need. He also loved to grow a huge vegetable garden and share loads of surplus with his family and friends.

Don is survived by his children, Cheradon Hunsaker Tevyaw, Karina Hunsaker, Rick (Annette) Hunsaker, and Lynn (Veronica) Hunsaker; sister, Barbara Hunsaker Clayton; 20 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his dear wife Jeannie; daughters, Deborah Leann Hunsaker, and Kathi Hunsaker Webb; grandson, Michael Hunsaker; sister, Elsie Rowland Hunsaker; and brothers, Leo & Theo Hunsaker.

The visitation and viewing will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 10, 2021, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 9:00 A.M., Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11th Street in Show Low, Arizona, where additional viewing will begin one hour prior to the funeral. The concluding service and interment will be later that day at 3:30 P.M. at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street in Mesa, Arizona.

Don will be laid to rest alongside his forever sweetheart, Jeanne.