Ray Alton Hunter, Jr., 86, Sturgis, died on Thursday, October 9, 2014, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Ray, a true cowboy, was born in White River, SD, May 9, 1928, to Ray Alton Hunter, Sr., and Willynette (Hollenbeck) Hunter. Ray aspired to be a cowboy from a young age when he watched his dad wrangle buffalo for Custer State Park in the 1930s. At age eight, after his father died and the family fell on hard times, Ray was sent to live with many different families, working to earn his keep.

The cowboy life started for Ray when he when he went to live with Baxter and Lyndall Berry in 1941. He worked for the Berry Ranch off and on for thirty years and attributed his knowledge of "cowboying and the cowboy way" to Baxter Berry.

Cowboying and ranching were his life's passions, but he also served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked construction, owned a bar in Cottonwood, auctioneered, and even ran for the state legislature.

Ray married Jean Elrod in 1950 and raised four kids in the Belvidere/Philip area.

He entered local rodeos for most of his life, putting his determination to be a top hand and riding skills to work in the arena. He later served as president of the South Dakota Rodeo Association. He loved to spend time with his kids in the arena and eventually went on to win the SDRA team roping championship with his son Casey in 1976.

One of Ray's greatest achievements was the publication of his book "Dim Trails," which recounts stories from his life that capture the legacy of the real west and the essence of cowboy life in early South Dakota for younger generations.

Ray remained a true cowboy to the end. He continued to attend local rodeos and show his support for the sport and cowboy lifestyle. He passed on his love of horses and the cowboy way to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When his grandsons were young, he told them that to be a good cowboy, they would have to learn how to drink whiskey, fight, and ride broncs. Ray defined a good cowboy as someone who could ride a bad horse and still be a good hand.

Ray is survived by his sons, Casey (Linda) Hunter, Hulett, WY, and Mike (Kim) Hunter, Huntsville, TX; daughters, Billie (Steve) Swan, Hubbard, TX, and Jackie (Dave) Driscoll, Pierre, SD; grandsons, Tracy, Troy, and Don; granddaughters, Amy, Nicole, Jamie, Meagan, Morgan, and DeAnn; great-grandsons, Liam, Nolan, Jayden, and Kyler; and great-granddaughters, Darbi, Jocelyn, Jordan, and Shayda.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Willynette; sister, Geraldine; brother, Stanley; and family friend, David Krausert.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2014, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Henrique Fleming and Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. A luncheon will follow.

Burial, with military honors, will be 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established at the McCrossan Boys Ranch.

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