A “true Wycombite” who worked alongside Terry Pratchett at the Bucks Free Press has passed away at the age of 83.

Alan Frederick Hunt, a long-time reporter who was born and bred in Downley, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 26, in Waco, Texas, where he relocated to in 1975.

He leaves behind his wife of 59 years Jacqueline, daughter Julia Riley and sons David and Geoff Hunt, as well as three grandchildren.

Alan started his newspaper career at the Bucks Free Press in 1953, fresh out of Mill End Secondary Modern School in High Wycombe – and first had the all-important job of making tea for the entire editorial office, which was then based in the High Street.

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He stayed with the paper until 1957, when he served in the British Army as a Royal Military Policeman in Germany – but once he finished his service, he returned to the Free Press, where he met his future wife Jacqueline Humphrey.

Writing once again for the Free Press in 2015, all the way from Waco, Alan shared his fond memories of High Wycombe and credited the paper for the decades of married bliss he enjoyed with Jacqueline.

After attending Lady Verney High School, Jacqueline went on to work in the advertising department at the paper, and the pair first met at a Christmas party thrown by a colleague. They married on March 30, 1963.

Alan also remembered working with many “fine” journalists at the BFP – including none other than Terry Pratchett, who went on to become a renowned fantasy author.

He remembered him initially as a “shy lad”, but one who had rare skills to keep readers glued to his writing.

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In 1975, Alan made the tough decision to leave the paper and instead relocated to Waco, Texas, where he took a job as a reporter at the Waco Tribune-Herald, staying there for five years.

In 1980, he went on to join the public relations department at Baylor University, where he combined journalism with his love of photography.

He retired after a long and happy career at Baylor in 2006 and spent his retirement with his beloved family and pursuing his hobbies, including his love of cars, photography, gardening and making new friends on trips to the local flea market.

In an online tribute to Alan from his family, they said: “He will forever be in our hearts, and we will continue to ‘soldier on’.”

A string of heartwarming tributes have been left online for Alan, with one person describing him as a “kind, considerate, giant of a man”.

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Billie Gilbert wrote: “I work with Alan at Baylor's Public Relation's Department. He was one of my favorite co-workers. He always had a smile on his face and something kind to say. My deepest sympathies to his family.”

Anne Newitt wrote: “We have wonderful memories of our dear brother in law Alan, from the days we spent together with the children in England, also the holidays we spent in Texas with him and Jacqueline, he was a kind considerate giant of a man and loved by all who knew him.”

Michael Hagan added: “Alan left me with some wonderful and indelible stories from his past in the UK. I've enjoyed retelling some of these that exemplified the caring and devotion for his country of birth as well as his adopted one. A good, kind and generous man; thank you for sharing him.”

To leave your own tribute to Alan, go to www.whbfamily.com/obituaries/Alan-Frederick-Hunt?obId=24154651#/obituaryInfo