Funeral for former governor Jim Hunt taking place in Wilson

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Hundreds are expected to gather in Wilson for the funeral of former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt.

Hunt passed away last week at the age of 88.

The service is set to begin at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilson.

Flags are being flown at half-staff across the state in honor of Hunt, who was the longest-serving governor in North Carolina history.

Hunt served as Lieutenant Governor from 1972-1976, an office now held by his daughter Rachel.

He served as Governor 1977-1985 and again from 1993-2001, and was best-known for his efforts in education, namely the Smart Start program, a topic he continued to focus on through his work with The Hunt Institute.

“We were over at their house one time and I said, I know you go to big high schools, but we would love for you to come and speak at my son’s graduation at a small school, Chatham Central High School. And he said, ‘Oh, I love to come to all schools.’ And he came. It was a big deal to have a governor of North Carolina at Chatham Central High School,” said Becky Loflin, a family friend.

Separately, he played a key role in helping grow the state’s economy, overseeing a period of massive growth and development, including the creation of the NC Biotech Center.

Earlier, Eyewitness News spoke with a family friend who spoke of his legacy.

“It is very rare today. There’s so much divisiveness in our state and in our country too, but Jim Hunt could bring everybody together in agreement. He had that trait to do that,” Loflin shared.

Hunt grew up just outside Wilson and a high school in the county is named after him.

“They should always be honored to have somebody like Jim Hunt that lived in the community and did so much for (it). He always stayed so humble, even with the greatness he had. Everybody admired him so much. He was always laid back and ready to talk to everybody,” Loflin said.

Governor Josh Stein is inviting the public to sign a book of condolences for Hunt’s family.

The book is lying at the North Carolina State Capitol in the rotunda.

People can write a brief message from now through next Friday, Jan. 2.

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