SAN JOSE – Firefighters will gather together to pay their respects to Airtanker Pilot Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, who paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life while fighting the Dog Rock Fire near El Portal, Calif. A celebration of Craig’s life, with full Line of Duty Death fire service honors, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m.
On Oct. 7, Dyncorp Pilot Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt was involved in a fatal crash while flying a Cal Fire S-2T Airtanker over the Dog Rock fire burning near Yosemite’s Arch Rock.
“We continue to mourn the tragic loss of Craig.” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire Director. “We know wildland firefighting is an inherently dangerous job, but Craig made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot’s family during this difficult time,” said Jeff Cavarra, program director for DynCorp International.
Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt was born October 14, 1951, in Richmond, IN. He is survived by his wife, Sally, who he married in September of 1975, and his two daughters, Nancy Hunt and Sarah Hunt Lauterbach.
Hunt served as a U.S. Navy P3 pilot from 1975-1984 and was in the reserves for 20 years. He earned a Masters in Business as well as in Biochemistry and was a chemistry teacher in the off-season at the University of Santa Cruz. He had a love for flying, golfing, fishing, hiking, bird watching, scuba diving, math/sciences, teaching and dogs.
“My dad died a hero, says daughter Sarah Hunt Lauterbach. “There was not a day that went by that I didn’t talk to my dad. He was my best friend.”
The memorial service will be held at the Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Drive in San Jose on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m.
Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
The Hunt Family
c/o CAL FIRE Firefighters Local 2881
1731 J Street, Ste. 100
Sacramento, CA 95811
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
G. Craig Hunt Memorial Fund
Ashville School
360 Ashville School Road
Ashville, NC 28806
This fund will be designated for scholarship and athletics at the Ashville School.
Contact: Tom Marberger at (828) 254-6345 ext. 4081
