Our Story
Hunter Dalton 1993-2016
He always said, “I’m living the HD life”
Hunter was born in Cornelius, North Carolina, on March 9, 1993. Hunter’s zest for life was immediately apparent, as was his love of sports. He played little league baseball, soccer, basketball and Pop Warner football. His athletic “claim to fame” was beating Steph Curry in a free throw competition at McKillop Basketball camp held at Davidson College. He played JV and varsity football at Hopewell High School. As he became older, his passion for sports shifted to a love of golf. His favorite day of each year was the Saturday he spent with his mom at the Masters Golf Tournament.
Growing up on Lake Norman, Hunter spent endless sunny days swimming, boating, kayaking, knee boarding or tubing with family and friends. Hunter was very adventuresome, and he loved to travel. His favorite trips included Ireland, the Caribbean Islands and a cruise with friends that earned him the nickname “the Captain.” Hunter had a very active social life which included being a proud member of Chi Phi Fraternity, but he still managed to maintain part-time work throughout college. His charismatic personality was instrumental in him being very successful at all that he endeavored. He was very proud to graduate from UNC Charlotte in 2016. Shortly after graduating from college, he moved to Raleigh to begin a career with Citrix Corporation.
Hunter used to tell everyone that he was living the HD Life, a life filled with family, friends, joy and adventure. He could even make going to the mailbox a memorable experience. Hunter truly had a gift for making everybody he met feel special and loved. He was ALWAYS happy and wanted everyone around him to be happy as well. He thrived on relationships, considered everybody as an equal, making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. He was always armed with a multitude of sincere compliments. He easily could have become a UN Ambassador–he had open arms and huge hugs for anyone he encountered.
Like so many young adults in today’s culture, Hunter used recreational drugs. For Hunter and his friends, that type of drug use was considered the norm and did not seem to impede their daily lives. Did Hunter’s use of recreational drugs propel him to a mindset of invincibility regarding drug use? We will never know the answer to that question. What we do know is Hunter decided to get high on a Monday evening after work not recognizing that he had crossed paths with the Serial Killer, Drop Dead Drug Fentanyl. The tragedy and travesty that took Hunter’s life shocked everybody! Nobody saw this coming!!!
Because Hunter loved life and cared about everyone he met, he would want his death to make a difference.
Hunter’s legacy is how he lived his life. His family and friends are committed to honoring that legacy through the Hunter Dalton #HDLife Foundation.
Hunter Dalton 1993-2016
He always said, “I’m living the HD life”
Hunter was born in Cornelius, North Carolina, on March 9, 1993. Hunter’s zest for life was immediately apparent, as was his love of sports. He played little league baseball, soccer, basketball and Pop Warner football. His athletic “claim to fame” was beating Steph Curry in a free throw competition at McKillop Basketball camp held at Davidson College. He played JV and varsity football at Hopewell High School. As he became older, his passion for sports shifted to a love of golf. His favorite day of each year was the Saturday he spent with his mom at the Masters Golf Tournament. Growing up on Lake Norman, Hunter spent endless sunny days swimming, boating, kayaking, knee boarding or tubing with family and friends. Hunter was very adventuresome, and he loved to travel. His favorite trips included Ireland, the Caribbean Islands and a cruise with friends that earned him the nickname “the Captain.” Hunter had a very active social life which included being a proud member of Chi Phi Fraternity, but he still managed to maintain part-time work throughout college. His charismatic personality was instrumental in him being very successful at all that he endeavored. He was very proud to graduate from UNC Charlotte in 2016. Shortly after graduating from college, he moved to Raleigh to begin a career with Citrix Corporation.Hunter used to tell everyone that he was living the HD Life, a life filled with family, friends, joy and adventure. He could even make going to the mailbox a memorable experience. Hunter truly had a gift for making everybody he met feel special and loved. He was ALWAYS happy and wanted everyone around him to be happy as well. He thrived on relationships, considered everybody as an equal, making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. He was always armed with a multitude of sincere compliments. He easily could have become a UN Ambassador–he had open arms and huge hugs for anyone he encountered.
Like so many young adults in today’s culture, Hunter used recreational drugs. For Hunter and his friends, that type of drug use was considered the norm and did not seem to impede their daily lives. Did Hunter’s use of recreational drugs propel him to a mindset of invincibility regarding drug use? We will never know the answer to that question. What we do know is Hunter decided to get high on a Monday evening after work not recognizing that he had crossed paths with the Serial Killer, Drop Dead Drug Fentanyl. The tragedy and travesty that took Hunter’s life shocked everybody! Nobody saw this coming!!!
Because Hunter loved life and cared about everyone he met, he would want his death to make a difference.
Hunter’s legacy is how he lived his life. His family and friends are committed to honoring that legacy through the Hunter Dalton #HDLife Foundation.
HDLife Music Video By Jonny Stapes
Jonny Stapes wrote an emotional tribute to his close friend Hunter. The Hunter Dalton HD Life Foundation that Hunter’s family and friends established in his memory produced the “HD Life” music video. The video takes the audience through the painful sequence of events that starts with a devastating phone call to Hunter’s parents.
Hunter’s Mom
Debbie Dalton shares the tragic story of the loss of her son and warns others about the dangers of recreational drug use.
#HDLife Memorial Video
A video remembrance to celebrate the beautiful memories of Hunter Dalton as captured by friends and family throughout his life.
Together we can make a difference
With your financial support, you are enabling The Hunter Dalton #HDLife Foundation to effectively educate and address the daily challenges faced by young adults & teenagers in our community.
