2008 Woodie Awards
Student remembered for smile, personality
By: Meredith Mayberry
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: News
Donald Hunsucker Jr. never forgot the importance of being a good friend - and his friends will never forget him.
The Allenton junior, known as "Donnie" by friends and family, was recognized for his warm personality and his contagious smile. He made everyone around him feel like they were his best friend, said Stephanie Hopkins, childhood friend and junior at Oakland University.
"He was always someone you could count on," said Doug Kaltz, 20, of Capac. "He was like light in a dark hallway."
Hunsucker died in a one-car accident Dec. 30 in Capac. He fell asleep while driving on Capac Road and slammed his car into a tree, said his mother, Christine Hunsucker.
"He was leaving a friend's house at about 3 a.m. because he promised me he'd go to church with us in the morning," Christine Hunsucker said. "His friend tried to get him to spend the night, but Donnie said he had to come home. Five minutes later, he hit a tree."
Donnie hit the only tree in the field, said his father, Donald Hunsucker Sr.
"It was Donnie's time," Christine Hunsucker said. "You could tell by looking at that tree."
Capac resident Robert Barbier, 22, was the last person to see Donnie before the accident.
"We were attached at the hip for the last couple of months," said Barbier. "I'll never meet anyone in my life like Donnie."
Known for his athletics at Capac High School, Donnie played football, baseball and wrestled at the state level. He was well-respected by his teammates, coaches and his competitors.
"He was never spiteful or nasty with or a win or a loss," Hopkins said. "He admitted defeat and praised the winners."
Hunsucker's interests went beyond athletics in college. He was studying law enforcement at CMU, hoping to become a police officer in the future. The possibility of being a SWAT team member or doing detective work also crossed his mind, Christine Hunsucker said.
"I could definitely see him doing that," said Mike Gutierrez, 21, of Capac. "That's the kind of person he was, taking down bad guys, helping good people."
Donnie was the oldest of six boys and a role model to his brothers, his father said. The death of his younger brother, Matthew, 4 years ago was difficult for him.
"Because he was such an awesome brother, he had a hard time without Matt," Christine Hunsucker said. "God knew Donnie had suffered enough. He took him to be with his brother."
More than 1,000 people attended the funeral on Jan. 3 in Allenton. He had a funeral fit for a king, Christine Hunsucker said.
"Without Donnie, the world is missing someone to teach people what life is all about," she said. "There's one less person to help show that life is not about us; it's about each other."
news@cm-life.com
The Allenton junior, known as "Donnie" by friends and family, was recognized for his warm personality and his contagious smile. He made everyone around him feel like they were his best friend, said Stephanie Hopkins, childhood friend and junior at Oakland University.
"He was always someone you could count on," said Doug Kaltz, 20, of Capac. "He was like light in a dark hallway."
Hunsucker died in a one-car accident Dec. 30 in Capac. He fell asleep while driving on Capac Road and slammed his car into a tree, said his mother, Christine Hunsucker.
"He was leaving a friend's house at about 3 a.m. because he promised me he'd go to church with us in the morning," Christine Hunsucker said. "His friend tried to get him to spend the night, but Donnie said he had to come home. Five minutes later, he hit a tree."
Donnie hit the only tree in the field, said his father, Donald Hunsucker Sr.
"It was Donnie's time," Christine Hunsucker said. "You could tell by looking at that tree."
Capac resident Robert Barbier, 22, was the last person to see Donnie before the accident.
"We were attached at the hip for the last couple of months," said Barbier. "I'll never meet anyone in my life like Donnie."
Known for his athletics at Capac High School, Donnie played football, baseball and wrestled at the state level. He was well-respected by his teammates, coaches and his competitors.
"He was never spiteful or nasty with or a win or a loss," Hopkins said. "He admitted defeat and praised the winners."
Hunsucker's interests went beyond athletics in college. He was studying law enforcement at CMU, hoping to become a police officer in the future. The possibility of being a SWAT team member or doing detective work also crossed his mind, Christine Hunsucker said.
"I could definitely see him doing that," said Mike Gutierrez, 21, of Capac. "That's the kind of person he was, taking down bad guys, helping good people."
Donnie was the oldest of six boys and a role model to his brothers, his father said. The death of his younger brother, Matthew, 4 years ago was difficult for him.
"Because he was such an awesome brother, he had a hard time without Matt," Christine Hunsucker said. "God knew Donnie had suffered enough. He took him to be with his brother."
More than 1,000 people attended the funeral on Jan. 3 in Allenton. He had a funeral fit for a king, Christine Hunsucker said.
"Without Donnie, the world is missing someone to teach people what life is all about," she said. "There's one less person to help show that life is not about us; it's about each other."
news@cm-life.com
