Name & occupation?
My name is Donny Hunt. I am a Customer Service Representative at AIG. I am also a novelist with three titles published to date.
What led you to Amarillo? How long have you been here?
I’m a lifelong panhandle resident. I was born in Borger, graduated high school in Fritch and attended WTAMU in Canyon before moving to Amarillo in 2000.
What is a memory you have about the region that is no longer here?
The loss that I feel the most is Hastings. I spent so much time in Hastings that when it went out of business it was like losing a long time friend. I still can’t believe it’s gone. I also discovered recently that they have demolished Bulldog Stadium in Borger, which saddens me because I spent a great deal of time there as well. I played Tri-City Youth Football there and attended many Bulldog games with my parents.
What are some events that happened in your life that made you who you are?
I’ve always had a vibrant imagination and in my youth I was really allowed to let my imagination run wild, which is where my passion for writing and story telling comes from. When I was growing up, you could be a lot more free and just run around town and explore. You can’t do that as much anymore. Still, I’m glad that I had those times and didn’t just sit in front of a phone or a game station all of the time.
I was also an active athlete, which is where my love of sports comes from. I used to be a walking encyclopedia of sports knowledge. I remember one time when my grandfather called me from his work because he and a client were having a sports argument and needed me to settle it. Turns out, they were both wrong!
Where would you spend all your time if you could?
I love Amarillo and don’t plan living anywhere else, but if I did I’d live in Austin. We love to visit Austin. It has such a lively vibe. The first time we drove into town this feeling of peace just settled over us both and we’ve loved it ever since. Maybe one day we’ll have a vacation home there! Oh and there’s the Longhorns too.
Do you volunteer or sit on a board? Is yes where? If no where would you want to?
After my father-in-law died in 2012 my wife Kristen and I started ALS Amarillo to raise awareness of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and to raise funds for ALS research. The organization is dormant currently but I’d love to get it back up and running someday.
What are you most passionate about?
I’m passionate about many things. Beyond my family I’d say my writing. People always say you should do what you love for a living and I’d love to make my living writing, unfortunately I haven’t figured out a way to pay the bills doing that yet. Guess there’s always hope.
What is the strangest thing you've ever come across?
A bull once chased my dog home. My dog got out of the yard and was harassing this bull. The bull burst out of his pasture and chased my dog home, then hung out in the vacant lot across the alley until the rancher came to get him.
What is something you can never seem to finish?
Everything! There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done, whether it’s stuff around the house, or my writing or spending time with the family. Life is a constant juggling act in our household.
What do you wish Amarillo had or did not have?
I wish we had a better Civic Center. Although they seem to be doing a better job recently of bringing in acts, I can’t help but think that we could do more with a bigger and more modern events center. The new ballpark might help that somewhat, but I think in order to maximize our potential as a city, eventually we are going to need a better facility.
What direction do you think Amarillo is headed?
The city seems to be prospering, which is a good thing. I’ve long felt that we’ve been lagging behind cities like Lubbock, Abilene or Wichita Falls, so I’m glad to see Amarillo finally getting in the game. I am concerned that the crime rates seems to be climbing though. That’s one thing I’d like to see the city get under control.
What else should readers know about you?
I’m also a huge Texas history buff. Other people are sending off for DNA tests to see their ancestry. All I need to know is that I’m third generation Texan. Everything else pales in comparison.
