12/19/2025
Gov. James Baxter Hunt, Jr.
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, lowa. 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.
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 NC 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 barbeque 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.
Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.
View Gov. James Baxter Hunt, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
