Long-time NACo Board Member, former Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee chair, and Yadkin, N.C. county commissioner Grady Hunter died Jan. 29 of lymph node cancer. He was 74.

Hunter, who served on NACo’s Board of Directors from 1987–1996, was a founding member of NACo’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee. NACo Associate Legislative Director Ralph Tabor worked closely with Hunter on rural issues. “Grady was the main reason we established a separate steering committee on agriculture. He was convinced that NACo could be a major player in writing the next farm bill,” Tabor said.

A tobacco farmer and avid Republican, Hunter served for 20 years as commissioner in Yadkin County. He was first elected to the county board in 1978 and served as its chair for 18 years.

“Grady was ‘Mr. County Government,’ a strong NACo supporter and a man who embraced public service and association service with a lot of heart, energy and humor. We will miss him,” said Larry Naake, NACo executive director.

Yadkin County colleagues praised Hunter for his practical approach to governing. “I never met anyone who was a stronger Republican, but when it came to doing for the people of the county, he crossed party lines the easiest of anyone I’ve ever seen,” said Yadkin County Board Chair Thomas Wooten. He and Hunter served together as commissioners for nearly 20 years.

Hunter was also very active in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). He served on NCACC’s Board of Directors, its Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee and NCACC’s Legislative Goals Committee.