Tristram Willoughby Hunt, fondly known as ‘Tris’, bravely fought a lengthy battle with cancer, passing away peacefully on June 5, 2024, at Saint Luke’s Hospice House at the age of 59.

Tris was born in Pietermaritzburg in the province of Natal, South Africa, to Peter and Rose Hunt on March 23, 1965. He grew up in Pietermaritzburg and Hilton in Natal, also spending time on the family farm in the former Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe); and in the East Griqualand region of South Africa working vacations for a life-long family friend, Dennis Ogram.

Tris attended St. John’s and Cowan House primary schools and Alexandra High School, where he excelled academically and at sport. In his senior year he was appointed as Head Prefect by his peers, a very distinguished leadership position and honor of which he was very proud.

Before going to the United States in 1983, Tris worked at Nyansandlela experimental farm outside Pietermaritzburg in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

In 1983, Tris came to the United States as an American Field Scholarship (AFS) exchange student and attended Kansas City’s Southwest High School. His host family, William and Deena Buckner, helped Tris continue his education at Johnson County Community College where he earned an Associate’s degree.

On his return to South Africa in 1984, Tris worked in the gold mines around Evander in the former Transvaal province (now Gauteng) to save for his college education, before commencing undergraduate studies at the University of Natal Pietermaritzburg in 1986.

On his return to the United States, Tris worked at Emile’s German restaurant in Kansas City to pay for college. In 1991, he earned his BA degree and in 1997, he earned his JD degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Tris began his legal career in 1998 as a law clerk working for The Honorable Vernon E. Scoville, III in Jackson County Circuit Court. He then came to the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney from 1999 to 2004. Upon leaving the Wyandotte County DA’s Office, Tris went to work for the United States Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney until he retired in 2022. While there, he earned many awards and accolades, including a national

award for Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year in 2006 and 2013 from the Office of the President and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Personally, Tris was exceedingly popular, while also known for his blunt honesty and his unwavering sense of justice, fairness and desire to protect the weak and vulnerable. As such, he had the respect of his colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the defense bar and the judges.

Tris had a wonderful sense of humor. He was passionate about his beloved dogs (Sophie and River). He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and also played rugby and squash as a younger man.

Tris was happiest when he was with his family enjoying quality time and being active in nature and – travelled extensively in order to do so – visiting South Africa, Spain, UK, Argentina, Belize, Slovakia, Mexico, Guatemala, Colorado, Florida, Alaska and New Zealand.

Tris was preceded in death by parents Peter and Rose (‘Rusty’) Grant (formerly Hunt) and brother Cameron Hunt. He is survived by wife, Tina Hunt, stepson Spencer Rothwell and step-granddaughter Evelyn Rothwell; former wife, Sharon Clough and their daughter Olivia Hunt-Bardal and husband Tyler; grandson Kasen Hunt-Bardal; brother Warwick Hunt and wife Maria; sister Kendal Conchar (nee Hunt) and husband Marc; sister-in-law Penelope Hunt; nieces Tamsin Jones, Xanthe Hunt, Ashleigh Hunt and Saxon Hunt; and nephews Callum Urqhart, Jethro Urqhart and Robert Hunt.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 1, 2024, at 11:00 am at Wyandotte County Lake, Beach Shelter, 91st and Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas. Lunch will be provided following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Tris’ memory or donating to either Saint Luke’s Hospice House or KC Pet Project.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441