[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E25-E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING JAMES BAXTER HUNT, JR.
_____
HON. DONALD G. DAVIS
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Monday, January 12, 2026
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, James Baxter Hunt, Jr., a
farm-boy who became North Carolina's longest-serving governor, died on
December 18, 2025. He was 88. Governor Hunt died at home on his Wilson
County farm, where he grew up and still lived with his wife of 67
years, Carolyn Joyce Leonard Hunt.
He was born in Greensboro on May 16, 1937, the son of James B. Hunt,
Sr., a farmer and soil conservationist, and Elsie Brame Hunt, a beloved
English teacher. He grew up on his family's dairy farm in Wilson and
graduated from Rock Ridge High School. ``Jimmy'' met Carolyn as a
senior in high school at a National Grange Youth Convention in Ohio.
When they met, Carolyn was living on her family's cattle farm in Mingo,
Iowa. Jimmy would frequently hitchhike for 36 hours to see Carolyn
during his school breaks. Their courtship, marriage, and long life
together was a true partnership.
[[Page E26]]
Carolyn, a teacher, was equally committed to public education and
public service, including volunteering at schools throughout her life
and leadership in Friendship Force. Together, they finished college and
graduate school in North Carolina, with his undergraduate and master's
degrees at North Carolina State University and her undergraduate degree
and his law degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. After law school, they lived for
two years in Nepal, where Hunt worked as a Ford Foundation economic
adviser. When they returned to Wilson County, Hunt was elected
president of the state Young Democrats in 1968. He chaired a reform
commission that opened state party leadership positions to minorities,
women, and young people. He listened to all people and maintained a
laser focus on getting things done, even if it meant a hundred phone
calls or a thousand handshakes in one day. It could always be done.
During his campaigns, he drove to every county in the state, stopping
to eat barbecue and shake more hands. He loved to enjoy good food,
especially with his family. Whether it was Carolyn cooking a seafood
breakfast or fish on Fridays at Papa Jack's, he was always game. His
Christian faith was a central part of his life, first at Marsh Swamp
Baptist Church and later at First Presbyterian Church of Wilson. In
every place they lived, including Nepal, Jimmy loved singing in the
church choir with his wife. Music gave him so much joy. He would always
sing songs with his brother and their wives at the annual Hunt holiday
gathering. Hunt had a great love for working on his family farm and
having Simmental cattle, and he was also a voracious reader throughout
his life. Reading multiple newspapers each day was a common practice.
While Hunt made an immeasurable impact on all North Carolinians, his
dedication and love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great,
grandchildren was above all. His passion for sports was strong,
specifically N.C. State athletics. He took his family to all the games
he could and watched the ones he could not attend. Jimmy and Carolyn
never forgot a birthday or anniversary, always marked by a call with a
beautifully sung ``Happy Birthday'' song. Carolyn's birthday was always
marked by a family beach trip. Jimmy loved to swim in the ocean with
his children, often floating on a raft. He cared deeply for his
grandchildren and was very active with all of them. He would frequently
be found fishing in the pond on his farm, swimming in the pool, or
playing basketball with them. No matter the activity, he made sure to
teach lessons along the way on how to stand up for what is right,
always reminding them that ``Hunts aren't quitters''. His unwavering
support and endless love for his family is something they will never
forget.
In 1972, he was elected lieutenant governor and immediately got to
work to establish statewide public kindergartens, raise teacher pay and
protect governors' powers from legislative intrusion. In 1976, he was
elected governor for the first time; he was 38 years old. Hunt served
as governor for an unprecedented four terms, totaling 16 years.
Carolyn's love and dedication to supporting her husband and raising
their four children allowed Hunt to dedicate so much of his life to
serving the people of North Carolina. As North Carolina's First Lady,
Carolyn welcomed a constant stream of schoolchildren and other visitors
from the state and beyond to the Executive Mansion.
Hunt is remembered by countless North Carolinians whom he led and
inspired through more than 60 years of political and public service. He
led North Carolina's transformation from a poor, largely rural state of
farms and factories to a fast growing magnet for research, technology,
and bioscience. When he left office at the beginning of the 21st
Century, the state was recognized as one of the best places in the
Nation to live and do business.
Hunt loved North Carolina and its people. He believed in the
limitless potential that can come from hard work, dedication, passion,
and perseverance. His life was a direct representation of those values
and many more. His family is eternally grateful for the countless
memories, lessons, and love he poured into them.
Governor Hunt is survived by his wife Carolyn Leonard Hunt; his
brother Robert Brame Hunt (Margaret); his children Rebecca Hunt-Hawley
(Jimmy), James Baxter Hunt, III (Deb), Rachel Henderson Hunt (Olav),
and Elizabeth Hunt Amigh (Kevin); his grandchildren Hannah Streeter
Hawley, Joseph Thornton Hawley (Casey), Stephanie Hunt Toder (Charlie),
James Baxter Hunt, IV, Lindsey Derrick Hunt, Katia Hunt Nilender
(Declan), Jonas Hunt Nilender, Jackson Zeak Amigh, Grace Leonard Amigh,
and John Ross Amigh; and great grandchildren Isaac Harrison Hawley,
Banks Thornton Hawley, Emily Lynn Toder, and Alex Harold Toder.
____________________