Dennis Lloyd Hunter

Dennis Lloyd Hunter lived a life shaped by faith, family, and service. Guided by the teachings of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he walked with quiet strength and a heart committed to doing good. His journey was one of resilience, devotion, and a deep love for gospel music that touched countless lives.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, the first of six children to Rev. Ambus H. Hunter and Josephine (Foster) Hunter, Dennis moved with his family to Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1949. There, under his father’s guidance, he accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. A graduate of Academy High School, he married Dorothy F. Clayton in 1958. Together they raised six children—Darrell, Denise, Duane, Dwight, Dale, and Doretha—each one a source of deep pride. For more than 25 years, Dennis worked at Perry Plastics Company, where he served as a union representative and contract negotiator, advocating for fairness and earning the respect of his colleagues.

In 2001, he married Ruth Landingham, and together they blended their families with care and shared devotion. A charter member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church since 1959, Dennis served faithfully, including as Chairman of the Trustee Board, offering his time, wisdom, and steady counsel to his church family.

His remarkable ministry in gospel music began at age 13 in 1952, when his father placed him behind the microphone for the “Prophet Hour” on WJET. In 1967, he partnered with Charles Smith to launch “Songs of Zion” on WWGO 1450 AM, a program he faithfully hosted for more than 53 years, missing only 12 broadcasts. The show later reached listeners worldwide through iHeartRadio. Dennis also sang with The Gospel Crusaders, a family group that traveled and recorded throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, and he managed the Sayles Singers, nurturing local gospel talent.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Doretha, his sister Dorris Moffett, and brothers-in-law Joel Moffett and Eugene Hamilton. Dennis is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Ruth A. Hunter; his children Darrell L. Hunter (Ana), Rev. Duane F. Hunter (Kicole), Dwight D. Hunter (Vickie), Dale L. Hunter, and Denise A. Hunter-Riley (Walter); stepchildren Annette Sims, Judy Jones (Charles), and Christopher Sims; brothers Ambus Hunter III (Philomena), James C. Hunter (Karen), and Gerald P. Hunter (Dorothy Ann); sisters Virgia Ann Hamilton, Marcia Hooks, and Lavita Williams; sisters-in-law Annie Pigee, Patricia Helm, Mary Simon, and Mozella Hunter; brother-in-law John Henderson; 27 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

The melody of Dennis Lloyd Hunter’s life continues in every heart he touched.