John Thomas ''Tommy'' Hunsucker, Sr., 66, of 408 Robinson Drive, Roanoke Rapids, a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather, as well as devoted friend to many, peacefully passed away August 8, 2012 at Duke Medical Center with his family by his side.

John, a native of Gaston, NC, was the son of the late John F. Hunsucker and Ethel Hamby Hunsucker. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Gaston Church of Christ, and later became a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He served his country with the Army National Guard.

John began his career at J.P. Stevens Textile Mill as a production engineer. John spent many years in the sales and service industry, first as a sales representative with Oakwood Homes, then moving into management with McDonalds in Roanoke Rapids. He also managed stores for the Hardees Corporation in Roanoke Rapids, Emporia, VA and Chapel Hill, NC. John then moved on to his service with the State of North Carolina as a correctional officer at Caledonia Prison Farm, running the clothes house. He then accepted a position with Halifax Community College as a food service instructor. This would lead him back to the prisons, as he taught food service to inmates as part of their rehabilitation until his retirement in 2009.

John was most proud of his years of service on the Weldon City Schools Board of Education and membership on the Halifax County Human Relations Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William ''Bud'' Thomas Hunsucker, and his son, Jeffery Scott Hunsucker.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Norma Jean Malone Hunsucker; his son, John Thomas Hunsucker, Jr. of Roanoke Rapids; his daughters, Kelly Hunsucker Davis and husband, Chris, of Rocky Mount, and Courtney Hunsucker of the home; his sister, Faye H Carter and husband, Robert, of Roanoke Rapids; his sister-in-law, Betty Jean Hunsucker, of Zebulon; his brother-in-law, Gordon Malone and his wife, Pam, of Richmond; his grandchildren, Matt and Jeana Hunsucker of Roanoke Rapids, Raven and Quinn Davis of Rocky Mount, and Nathan Hunsucker and his mother, Angie Sanders Deffenbaugh, of Ashland, VA; a special daughter-in-law, Lisa Wade Hunsucker, of Roanoke Rapids; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids on Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Martin and Rev. John Alford officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids. Visitation at other times will be at the Hunsucker home at 408 Robinson Drive, Roanoke Rapids.

The flag in front of the funeral home flies at half-staff in honor of Mr. Hunsucker’s service to his country.