Harold Hunter, Sr.

HUNTER, Harold, Sr.,-age 86, of Hendersonville, died Thursday March 7th, 2013 at his home from complications of diabetes and congestive heart disease. Born in Kansas City, Kansas April 30th, 1926 to Claude and Alta Walker Hunter, he was a 1944 graduate of Sumner High School, Kansas City, Kansas, a 1950 graduate from North Carolina College, Durham, North Carolina with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education, a 1957 graduate from Tennessee A and I State University, Nashville, Tennessee, with a M.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. 1950-51 and 1954-57 he coached boys and girls basketball at Williston High School, Wilmington, North Carolina. 1952-54 he was varsity coach of football, basketball, track, and tennis and athletic director at P.S Jones High School, Washington, North Carolina. A standout guard from North Carolina College, he led NCC to the title game of the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association CIAA National Tournament. April 26th, 1950, he became the first African-American player to sign an NBA contract with the Washington Capitols. He was the first African American to coach an U.S Olympic team. 1957-68 he coached basketball at Tennessee State University. 1957-59 he was assistant coach under John McLendon, in 1959 he became head coach. 1957, 58, and 59 he won NAIA championships, a first for TSU. As head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers he sent 17 of his players to the NBA. 1970 he joined Vanderbilt's athletic staff as part time assistant basketball coach and the first African-American member of a coaching staff in the Southeastern Conference. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Claude Hunter, Jr., Charley Hunter, and Jessie Hunter; sisters; Sarah Hunter, Artena Hunter Shepherd, Lydia May Hunter Hawkins, and Carrie Hunter. Survived by wife; Jacqueline T. Hunter, daughter; Micki Hunter, son; Harold Hunter, Jr. and wife Tania, 3 grandchildren; Devyn G. Hunter, Julian D. Hunter, Carianna R. Hunter and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A Life Celebration will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home with burial to follow at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2013, 5:00-9:00 pm and Saturday March 16, 2013, 12:30-2:00 pm at HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy Hendersonville, TN 37075 615 824-3855 hendersonvillefh.com