Cottrell “CJ” Hunter, III, 52 of Wake Forest, passed away on Sunday November 28, 2021.  He was born December 14, 1968 in Washington, DC to the late Cottrell Hunter, Jr. and Juanita Jacks Hunter Young.  CJ attended FDR High School in Hyde Park, NY, and was a standout football and track athlete. He earned a 4-year scholarship in track and field from Penn State University, was a World Champion Shot Put Thrower for seven out of ten years, and was an Olympic Shot Put thrower in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. CJ was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Colorado, University of North Carolina, and NC State University.  He also served as a coach for several local high school and youth football teams.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cottrell Hunter, Jr.

Those left to cherish his memory include his fiancé, Jodi Wells of the residence; two sons, Cory Hunter of San Antonio, TX, and Nico Hunter of the residence; one daughter, Ahny Hunter of Apex; his mother, Juanita Jacks Hunter Young of Holly Springs; a step-son, Anthony Stefanillo of Fuquay-Varina, NC; his fiancé’s children, Lindsay Madden of State College, PA, JT Madden of Charlotte, NC, and Bridget Madden of Wake Forest, NC; a host of family, friends, and athletic colleagues.

A private memorial service celebrating CJ’s life will be held in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Wake Forest with Rev. Charles R. Tyner officiating.

Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wake Forest is serving the Hunter family.