Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 11:09 am

The Cannon Courier wishes to announce the Candidacy of Richie Hunter for County Commissioner of the 5th District, in the August 7th County General Election.

Richard Allen Hunter was born in Marshall County (Lewisburg, TN) and raised in the Verona Community. He attended Verona Grammar School, a three room school, with three teachers. His 8th grade graduating class consisted of eight boys and one girl, but he stated he was well prepared to attend Marshall County High School in Lewisburg.

While attending Marshall County High, he played football and baseball and was voted freshman class vice-president and senior class treasurer. He was alternate to Boys State, a member of the Key Club, (Athletic and Scholar Organization) top 20 in his class, received the School Spirit Award, Mr. Personality and was Advertising Manager of the yearbook.

After graduation he attended Lambuth University in Jackson, TN. While at Lambuth, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Student Government Representative, and member of the Inter Fraternity Counsel, played intramural football, softball, and tennis representing his fraternity.

After completing 3 years at Lambuth, he applied for admission and was accepted at the University Of TN College Of Pharmacy. At U.T. he was a member of APHA Student Association, TPHA Student Association and Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity. He also played Intramural football and softball representing his fraternity.

After graduation from UT, Richie returned to Lewisburg and was employed by Alford's Pharmacy. He married Connie Locke and in 1970, his oldest son Chad was born.

While in Lewisburg he was a member of the Kiwanis Club and was elected Treasurer. He was an active member of the Football Booster Club and also coached a Babe Ruth Baseball team and won a League Championship.

In 1971 he joined the TN National Guard and was sent to Fort Polk Louisiana for active duty. After his return to Lewisburg, he was named Company Clerk of his Unit. He later joined the 1071 M.A.S.H. Unit in Nashville and received an honorable discharge in 1977. Mr. Hunter moved to Woodbury in August 1972 (42 Years ago) he joined in a partnership with John Kinard and Richard Reeves, who had bought the former Bratten-McCrary Drug Store. This partnership eventually became Drug Centers, Inc. of TN. It was a group of 8 independent drug stores, a compounding unit, an I.V. Company and a Home Health Center.

In 1973 Scott was born and in 1976 Blake was born. Together he and Connie had 3 sons. In 1980, Mr. Hunter lost his wife, Connie to breast cancer. He remarried in 1985 to Becky Tucker Blocker. Becky lost her life to Leukemia, in 1999.

In January 2000, Drug Centers of TN sold to Eckerd Drug. In 2008 Eckerd Drugs sold to Rite Aid. Richie remarried Glenda Bryson in 2001. She has two beautiful daughters, Tonya Davenport and Julia Reed. Together they have 5 children and 8 wonderful grandchildren.

Mr. Hunter has been a member of the Woodbury Lions Club for over 40 years, serving in many capacities from 2nd and 3rd Vice President to Chairman and Co Chairman of several activities. He has been on many boards including Stones River Hospital, Senior Citizens Board, and Football Booster V.P. for 6 years, Dixie Youth Board of Directors and Coach, D.R.E.A.M. Team Board of Directors. For many years he has been a member of the Bryant Myers Scholarship Board and the last 3 years has served as their President.

Mr. Hunter has attended, and is an active member of First Baptist Church since coming to Woodbury. He has remained active professionally as well. He is a member of A.PH.A., a volunteer faculty member for U.T. College of Pharmacy for over 25 years, a certified fitter of Orthotics, Certified Immunizer and a member of the TN Pharmaceutical Association Public Relations Committee.

In March 2012, he retired as full time Pharmacist, but continues to work on an as needed basis. He stated that by doing this it keeps him in touch with his customers of so many years and abreast of all the changes that take place in the pharmacy industry. He has always loved people and the working relationships that he has built of so many years.
Mr. Hunter stated that one reason he decided to be a candidate in this election was to give back his service to a community that had been so good to him and his family. "One of our greatest assets in this county is the people. You just will not find any better."

"My priorities for our county are education, industry, and recreation. I also want to emphasize our litter law and enforce it. Our county is just too beautiful to be trashed. I ask for your vote and will promise honesty, common sense, and good business practices if elected. Your trust in me is too valuable to give or offer you any less. Thank you in advance for your trust in me and consideration as your candidate for the 5th district.

Political advertising paid for by Richie Hunter