March 10, 1976-July 7, 2021
I didn’t keep in contact with my old friend Gabe. After I joined the military, it would be 20 years before I saw him again. Despite the distance in our contact, as soon as we did see each other, it was your typical old friends catching up. We didn’t skip a beat. He had live a complex and exciting life as I had and our experiences shaped in part, who we were.
It didn’t stop me from remembering him as a young man. His smile, laugh, good natured, and giving friendship. He loved with his whole heart. We would often sit, listening to music, and talk about the occult, or discuss Satanism, as I was interested in it, and he was all too happy to explore any ideas with me. I remember once we called up a psychic hotline, just to dunk on it while having a laugh.
His love of tattoo’s was infectious and he would have me stand with my tattoos visible, just so he could appreciate them for a moment. When he inked 13 on his inner finger and showed it off to me, I got 666 on the inside of mine, just because I wanted to be like him. He was always cooler than me, and I knew it. I wanted a fraction of his vitality. He was the kind of man that I wanted to be like. Engaging, Interested, and Passionate.
We were not what I would consider best friends, but we did spend a lot of time together for a couple years, and I will forever cherish those memories. I love you my friend. You will forever be missed, but you will never be gone.
Obituary
Gabriel Paul Hunter, “Gabe,” beloved son, brother, uncle, spouse, stepfather, and dear friend, passed away July 7, 2021, from complications due to Covid-19.
Gabe was born into this world on March 10, 1976, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Paul Hunter and Susan White Hunter. Our world lost a brilliant, creative soul with his passing.
Gabe attended schools in Rawlins and Laramie, Wyoming. He was an Eagle Scout and received that honor while living in Laramie, Wyoming. He attended high school in Utah, graduating from Jordan High School. He attended Salt Lake Community College.
He met the love of his life, Whitney Thomas in 2016, and they haven’t been apart since. Gabe was an amazing artist, and his artistic ability emerged at a very young age, with him winning 1st place in a contest in Wyoming to design a new postage stamp to represent the state of Wyoming. He was in fifth grade at the time. He was able to take a lot of his emotions and turn them into art.
He specialized in tattoo art and logo designs for many products, including clothing and skateboards. He was a renowned tattoo artist, who carried a style that was unlike any other. He toured Switzerland and Germany, sharing his talent at international art conventions. He lived and worked in Texas for twenty years, then returned to Utah to be closer to family.
Gabe was a loyal and caring friend; he made connections and developed friendships with everyone he met. He took the time to nurture each of his relationships; always made sure to say, “I love you” to his friends and family and give those big, comforting hugs we will miss so much. He had a tremendous capacity for being kind, caring, and compassionate toward others.
One felt immediately accepted and valued upon being in his presence – nobody ever felt judged by Gabe. He had a special talent of being able to perceive people’s feelings and of being able to understand them. He had the ability to light up a room. His loving personality, contagious humor and positive energy were magnetic. He made everyone around him and in his life feel so special and loved by him; he was truly a genuine and beautiful person. His generosity knew no bounds. As the saying goes, he would “give you the shirt off his back.”
All the children in the family had individual, special relationships with him. He took the time to connect and bond with each of them. They adored him and always knew they could trust him.
He was adored by his stepdaughter, Lily. Her own talent for art emerged under his tutelage and encouragement. He helped her develop her inspiration and drive for creativity and pushed her to try and do new things. He had a way of teaching her in a way that enabled her to understand and excel.
He will be sorely missed and held forever in our hearts.
He is survived by his partner, Whitney Thomas; stepdaughter Lily; mother, Susan Hunter; siblings Melody (Rob) Daily, Cajsa (Travis) Allen, Sara (Cade) VanRoosendaal, Mary Ika, Rebecca (Jason) Payne; Suzanne (James) Laforett; a multitude of nieces and nephews who were all his favorites, and he was their favorite! Preceded in death by his father, Paul Hunter.
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cannon Mortuary; 2460 East Bengal Blvd (7600 South); Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 1:00 PM at the LDS Crescent 23rd Ward; 10375 S. Leilani Dr; Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held at 12:00 noon prior to the services. Luncheon will follow the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gabriel Hunter Memorial Fund at
gf.me/u/zzqj3a