1907
Wilbert
2007
Wilbert Hunt
October 22, 1907 — October 13, 2007
Services for Wilbert "Blue Sky Eagle" E. Hunt, 99, of Acoma, New Mexico will be held on Tuesday-October 16, 2007-1:00 PM at Compassion Mortuary. A traditional wake will be held Tuesday-October 16, 2007 from Sundown till 11:00 AM on Thursday at the family home in Acoma Pueblo. Burial will be held on Thursday-October 18, 2007-2:00 PM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Mr. Hunt was born on October 22, 1907 in Acoma, New Mexico and passed away on October 13, 2007 in Acoma, New Mexico. One week short of his centennial birthday, Wilbert Edward Hunt, a native of Acoma Pueblo, passed away on Saturday, October 13th. Also proudly known as "Blue Sky Eagle," Mr. Hunt led a rich and colorful life. Born in Acomita on October 22nd, l907, he was the ninth of twelve children of Edward Proctor Hunt and Marie Valle.
After attending St. Catherine's Indian School in Santa Fe he entered Albuquerque Indian School, but ran away when his parents and older brother, Henry Wayne "Wolf Robe" Hunt joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch "Wild West" show in Oklahoma. From Oklahoma Wilbert and his family accompanied the Miller Brothers contingent that toured Europe as part of the Dresden-based Sarassani "Festival of Nations" circus.
Upon returning to the United States in l928, the Hunts briefly resided on the East Coast while they served as consultants for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Wilbert's contributions helped to document the importance of Pueblo Indian music and song. Upon returning to New Mexico that year, Mr. Hunt frequently toured the United States with his brother Wayne and father, putting on cultural presentations for the Boy Scouts of America and other community organizations.
On Nov. 4, l936, Mr. Hunt married Vedna Eckerman of Laguna Pueblo in a civil service, which was later followed by a religious ceremony at the Mormon Tabernacle Temple in Salt Lake City in l951. They had no children but served as surrogate parents and frequent hosts to younger members of their extended Acoma-Laguna families.
In June, l942, Wilbert Hunt joined the U.S. Army, in which he served for three and a half years, earning ribbons for participating in the European, African-Middle Eastern and American theaters of operations. Although ranked as an expert marksman, his major duties included serving as General George Patton's personal driver and barber, his important work on repairing tanks and trucks damaged on the front lines, and his participation in the D-Day invasion.
Following his honorable discharge in November, l945, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt moved to Albuquerque in l950, after which Wilbert continued his cultural tours with his father and brother all over the country. With his father Edward Hunt he also frequently led the parade during Gallup's Intertribal Ceremonial, and his photogenic presence was often seen on publicity and brochures about New Mexico's cultural attractions. Beginning in l964, Mr.Hunt worked as a silversmith for Bell's Trading Post on Central Avenue, rising to the role of manager which he held until his retirement in l985.
Shortly before Mrs. Hunt's death in l992 the couple had moved to the Meadows Mobile Home Park just north of Albuquerque. In July, 2002, Mr. Hunt experienced a dream come true when he and his nephew "Eddie" Hunt moved into the Acoma Tribe's new housing development at Skyline Two. From his window he could see Mount Taylor and often said he felt at home at last.
Until the very end Mr. Hunt was an enthusiastic and almost daily visitor to the Sky City casino and restaurant and supporter of his people's economic initiatives and cultural activities. Lovingly cared for by his nephew Eddie, he was always happy to receive family members and loyal friends who will miss him dearly.
He is survived by his Nephews: Joseph Eddie Hunt of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Darwin "Buick" Vallo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Carl Lorenzo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Phillip Empey of Huntington Beach, Califorina, Elmer Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Paul Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Randy Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Emmett Hunt, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Johnny Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Henry Vallo of Bernalillo, New Mexico, Robert Marvin Garcia-Hunt of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Michael Garcia of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Leonard Deuvigen of Baltomore, Maryland, Terry Hunt of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Buzzie Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Tommy Hunt of Los Angeles, California; Nieces: Kelly Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Summer Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Smraa Saidi of Grants, New Mexico, Sahar Saidi of Grants, New Mexico, Abude Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Elsie Johnson of Houston, Texas and Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Daisy Free of Dallas, Texas, Elma Lorenzo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Patricia Harrison of Paris, California, Mary Jo Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Mary Lowden of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Nancy Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Mary Garcia of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Myrtle Paquin of Laguna, New Mexico, Thelma Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Veronica Hunt of Los Angeles, California, and Yovonn Hunt of Los Angeles, California.
He is preceded in death by his wife: Vedna Hunt; Parents: Edward Practor Hunt and Marie Vallo Hunt.
Mr. Hunt was born on October 22, 1907 in Acoma, New Mexico and passed away on October 13, 2007 in Acoma, New Mexico. One week short of his centennial birthday, Wilbert Edward Hunt, a native of Acoma Pueblo, passed away on Saturday, October 13th. Also proudly known as "Blue Sky Eagle," Mr. Hunt led a rich and colorful life. Born in Acomita on October 22nd, l907, he was the ninth of twelve children of Edward Proctor Hunt and Marie Valle.
After attending St. Catherine's Indian School in Santa Fe he entered Albuquerque Indian School, but ran away when his parents and older brother, Henry Wayne "Wolf Robe" Hunt joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch "Wild West" show in Oklahoma. From Oklahoma Wilbert and his family accompanied the Miller Brothers contingent that toured Europe as part of the Dresden-based Sarassani "Festival of Nations" circus.
Upon returning to the United States in l928, the Hunts briefly resided on the East Coast while they served as consultants for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Wilbert's contributions helped to document the importance of Pueblo Indian music and song. Upon returning to New Mexico that year, Mr. Hunt frequently toured the United States with his brother Wayne and father, putting on cultural presentations for the Boy Scouts of America and other community organizations.
On Nov. 4, l936, Mr. Hunt married Vedna Eckerman of Laguna Pueblo in a civil service, which was later followed by a religious ceremony at the Mormon Tabernacle Temple in Salt Lake City in l951. They had no children but served as surrogate parents and frequent hosts to younger members of their extended Acoma-Laguna families.
In June, l942, Wilbert Hunt joined the U.S. Army, in which he served for three and a half years, earning ribbons for participating in the European, African-Middle Eastern and American theaters of operations. Although ranked as an expert marksman, his major duties included serving as General George Patton's personal driver and barber, his important work on repairing tanks and trucks damaged on the front lines, and his participation in the D-Day invasion.
Following his honorable discharge in November, l945, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt moved to Albuquerque in l950, after which Wilbert continued his cultural tours with his father and brother all over the country. With his father Edward Hunt he also frequently led the parade during Gallup's Intertribal Ceremonial, and his photogenic presence was often seen on publicity and brochures about New Mexico's cultural attractions. Beginning in l964, Mr.Hunt worked as a silversmith for Bell's Trading Post on Central Avenue, rising to the role of manager which he held until his retirement in l985.
Shortly before Mrs. Hunt's death in l992 the couple had moved to the Meadows Mobile Home Park just north of Albuquerque. In July, 2002, Mr. Hunt experienced a dream come true when he and his nephew "Eddie" Hunt moved into the Acoma Tribe's new housing development at Skyline Two. From his window he could see Mount Taylor and often said he felt at home at last.
Until the very end Mr. Hunt was an enthusiastic and almost daily visitor to the Sky City casino and restaurant and supporter of his people's economic initiatives and cultural activities. Lovingly cared for by his nephew Eddie, he was always happy to receive family members and loyal friends who will miss him dearly.
He is survived by his Nephews: Joseph Eddie Hunt of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Darwin "Buick" Vallo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Carl Lorenzo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Phillip Empey of Huntington Beach, Califorina, Elmer Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Paul Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Randy Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Emmett Hunt, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Johnny Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Henry Vallo of Bernalillo, New Mexico, Robert Marvin Garcia-Hunt of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Michael Garcia of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Leonard Deuvigen of Baltomore, Maryland, Terry Hunt of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Buzzie Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Tommy Hunt of Los Angeles, California; Nieces: Kelly Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Summer Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Smraa Saidi of Grants, New Mexico, Sahar Saidi of Grants, New Mexico, Abude Hunt of Grants, New Mexico, Elsie Johnson of Houston, Texas and Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Daisy Free of Dallas, Texas, Elma Lorenzo of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Patricia Harrison of Paris, California, Mary Jo Hunt of Laguna, New Mexico, Mary Lowden of Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, Nancy Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Mary Garcia of Santa Anna Pueblo, New Mexico, Myrtle Paquin of Laguna, New Mexico, Thelma Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Veronica Hunt of Los Angeles, California, and Yovonn Hunt of Los Angeles, California.
He is preceded in death by his wife: Vedna Hunt; Parents: Edward Practor Hunt and Marie Vallo Hunt.
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