James Hoyt Hunter of Red House, West Virginia, passed away on May 18, 2025, at his family home.

James was born in South Charleston, WV, on February 12, 1957.  James attended Poca High School, where he cultivated a passion for popular culture and music, and became an accomplished piano player.  He went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and the University of Virginia with a Master of Arts degree.  James had an extensive freelance writing career, published in the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine, among others.  He interviewed and wrote pieces on artists as diverse as Bono, Prince, Tim McGraw, Carly Simon, and Alan Jackson.

James was predeceased by his parents, Lewis Hoyt Hunter and Fern Blackwell Hunter. He is survived by his sister, Jill H. Pullen (Robert).

A private service will be held later this summer.

Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.