Jay Hunton, 89, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on 30 December 2025. He was a retired missionary and minister.
James “Jay” Edgar Hunton, Jr. was born on 31 August 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James and Flora Hunton. His father’s ministry in the Church of the Nazarene took him to several places in his early years before the family settled in East Liverpool, Ohio, where Jay spent the majority of his youth. He graduated from Shaw High School in 1955, and he excelled both academically and athletically, receiving All-State honors in football, basketball, and track.
Jay was recruited by numerous universities, but he accepted a full-ride scholarship to Rutgers University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political and Biological Science and letters in both football and lacrosse. Though Jay initially intended to go into the medical profession, he always sensed a strong call from God toward ministry.
One day, alone in his room, the words of the familiar hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” filled his thoughts:
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That was a tribute far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”
He faithfully surrendered to God’s call on his life in that moment, embarking on a ministry that took him all over the world, making an eternal impact on countless lives along the way.
In 1960, Jay moved to Kansas City to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary, where he received his Bachelor of Divinity in 1962, followed by his Master of Divinity in 1967, and his Doctor of Ministry in 1987.
Early in his studies, one evening at a dinner party, he met Carol Jeanne Schoenfeldt, who would soon become the love of his life. Married in 1960, Carol joined Jay in his spiritual calling and worked faithfully by his side for the next 64 years, transforming lives for Christ.
They were blessed with two beautiful daughters—Heather Jayne in 1961 and Heidi Jeanne in 1970. The Hunton family served as missionaries in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
He later became district superintendent of Southern Australia and president of the European Bible College in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. In the United States, Jay ministered as senior pastor to several Church of the Nazarene congregations in Humboldt, Kansas; Pittsville, Maine; Santa Rosa, California; and Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene in Prairie Village, Kansas.
In his later years, he served as Associate Pastor of Canyon Hills Community Church and returned to Nall Avenue to serve in pastoral care and visitation.
Jay’s life and ministry exemplified that of a true Christ follower, leaving footprints for others to follow.
Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Hunton. He is survived by two daughters, Heather Holbert and Heidi Irwin; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Celebration of Jay’s extraordinary life will be held at the Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, 25 January 2026, at 2:00 p.m. central time. A live stream of the service will be available on YouTube.