Thomas Bruce Hunter, Jr

Thomas Bruce Hunter, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, at the VA Hospice in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

Tom was born on October 6, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Quaker Valley High School, and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Information Science and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

He served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 during the Vietnam War as a Communications Technician (CT) Third Class, stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma City, where he served on the Admiral’s Staff—a role of distinct responsibility and honor. His military service included time in Vietnam, Germany and Japan, and he was proud to be a Vietnam Veteran.

After his military service, Tom built an accomplished career in both government and private industry. He worked for the U.S. Department of Energy, contributed to missile guidance systems at Ford Aerospace, and retired as a Senior Network Security Engineer for Cisco Systems. His early work with ARPANET placed him at the forefront of what would become the internet, and he remained deeply passionate about technology throughout his life.

Tom was also a hands-on tinkerer and fixer. He had a lifelong love of cars, especially Ford Mustangs and later Ford trucks. Whether it was a lawnmower, tractor, UTV, or a complex networking system, he enjoyed the challenge of figuring out things and making them work better.

He was a dedicated ham radio operator, an admirer of the night sky, and a man of quiet faith. He often reflected on life’s wonders from the back porch with his wife, Cecelia. Together, they traveled to Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, building memories and sharing adventures that brought them closer across decades.

Always at his side was Sierra, his beloved dog and faithful shadow, who brought him joy, companionship, and unconditional love every day.

He is preceded in death by his parents, T. Bruce Hunter, Sr. and Marjorie Clark Hunter, and his sister, Carol Ann Hunter.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cecelia Ann Hunter; his children, Thomas Bruce Hunter III (Page) and Rachel Robbins Hunter; his grandchildren, Zoey Echavarria (Bryan) and Tristan Hunter; and his sisters, Gail Hunter and Bonnie Hunter-Sprys.

A memorial service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Midvale Church of Christ, 130 North Depot Street, Midvale, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Tom’s memory to Love INC of Washington County, PO Box 348, Weiser, ID 83672, or online at www.loveincwashingtoncounty.org