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Courtney (Chet) Francis Hundley

Courtney (Chet) Francis Hundley, passed peacefully away, May 18, 2012, in Kenwood, his family at his side.

Chet was born June 20, 1918, in Horton, Kan., to Clint and Carrie (Jones) Hundley. He graduated from Sabatha High School in 1936, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and track. In 1939, Chet headed to Tennessee to visit his cousins where he met the love of his life, Rachel Denton. They married April 14, 1940. As a U.S. Army enlistee, Chet served his country honorably during World War II by keeping the engines of the warplanes in top working conditions. After the war, Chet worked as a civil servant for the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, working on many programs, including the Minute Man Missile Defense System. After retirement at age 55, Chet began a second career involving a hobby that turned into a lifetime passion: square dance calling. He and Rachel traveled the U.S. and the world teaching and dancing square dance-style. On one such “goodwill tour,” they square danced on top of the Great Wall of China.

After living in several states (Alabama, Pennsylvania, California, and Idaho) while raising their four children, Chet and Rachel settled in Arizona for their retirement years. They both enjoyed life to the fullest, being active in their church, relishing the time with grandkids, and planning/going on their next travel adventure. Those adventures always included spending entire summers with family in both Glen Ellen and the Seattle area. In 2006, Chet and Rachel relocated to Sonoma County to be close to family. 

He is survived by Rachel, his wife of 72 years, his son, Courtney G. (Marilyn) Hundley of Santa Rosa; daughter, Sandy (Armando) Zimmermann of Sonoma; daughter, Carrie Westover of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and daughter, Melinda (Steve) Johnson of Lake Stevens, Wash. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren (Christie, Debbie, Pam, Courtney, Amelia, Aly, Alison, Angie, Rachel, Conder, Shannon, and David), 15 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Chet was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and person. His sharp wit, compassionate heart, and love for us all will forever be ingrained in our hearts. He is in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and we, his family, know that is the BEST place to be!

A Celebration of Chet’s life was planned, and held, on Monday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Glen Ellen Community Church, 5311 O’Donnell Lane, Glen Ellen.

Private Interment, Veterans Memorial Park, Sonoma, CA.

Duggan’s Mission Chapel

525 West Napa Street,

 Sonoma, CA.