OBITUARY: M. BYNG HUNT 1941-2026
Published in the March 14, 2026 edition.
M. Byng Hunt passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 at the age of 85. He was a loved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Byng was born in 1941 in Evanston, Illinois. In 1943, his family moved to Seattle, Wash. where he grew up. He was a self-described optimist who rarely got into trouble and was always eager to please.
He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1959. He attended his first year of college in Franklin, Indiana at a family legacy school, but after his freshman year, he moved back home to Seattle to be closer to his family. He finished undergraduate and pharmacy school at The University of Washington. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Byng’s career as a pharmacist began in San Diego, Calif. right after marrying Patty O’Connell in 1964 and completing pharmacy school in 1965.
Byng and Patty lost their first child, Kristin Elizabeth, when she was only four months old in 1965. His daughter Kimberly Ann Hunt was born in 1966. Daughter Celina Marie Hunt was born in 1969.
In 1976, Byng realized his dream of moving his family to Mammoth Lakes. He worked at Wilson’s Family Pharmacy until he transferred to the new Safeway when it opened in 1980. He retired from pharmacy in 2007.
Byng and Patty parted ways in 1988, and he found love again with Joanne Knoche. They married in 1989. Byng was a devoted husband and became a dad to Joanne’s daughter, Sheilah, who was only 13 years old at the time they married.
Byng’s life work was not limited to his time as a pharmacist. He dedicated many years to public service – first serving on the Mono County Planning Commission from 1988 to 1992. He then served on the Mammoth Lakes Town Council from 1992 to 1998 (including one term as the mayor of Mammoth).
He subsequently moved on to serving on the Mono County Board of Supervisors from 1998 to 2014. Byng was also very proud of the work he and Joanne did as avid members of the Mammoth Lakes Rotary Club from 1988 to present. Byng found his love for skiing in the Pacific Northwest during his early teen years – back in the days of rope tows and wooden skis, and it remained his favorite hobby throughout his life.
He made sure his kids and grandkids started skiing very early in their lives, and they developed a love for the sport as well. His other hobbies included hiking, riding his motorcycle on back roads, mountaineering, cross country skiing, bike riding, music, traveling, and writing.
It is worth a mention the joy Byng shared with pets throughout the years. There were many, but Charlie, Diego, and Bella stand out as companions who impacted his life greatly.
If there is one undeniable aspect of Byng that permeated every part of his life, it would be his love for nature and his connection to these mountains in the Eastern Sierra and beyond. When he needed a place to be inspired, he hit the trail and set his eyes on the top. He leaves that legacy in our hearts. It is deep in these mountains, and through those of us he shared that love with, that he lives on in “The Forever” as he humbly called it.
As a parting reminder, his family would like to share this quote from his book, Letters From Life, that he wrote three years before his passing:
“Life is short. One central theme that has run through it all for me is that there were always mountains to be climbed in my life, whether situational or geographical, guiding my way, inspiring my soul, teaching me serious lessons, and giving me passion for living life to its fullest. So, to my family and all the people I have known throughout the years, I want to say whole heartedly…. thanks for the memories….. and keep your heads up, as there is a lot to see.”
Byng is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joanne Hunt (Mammoth Lakes) and her daughter, Sheilah Brode (Mammoth Lakes), his sister, Sally Penley (Tumwater, Wash.), his first wife, Patricia Hunt (Santa Fe, New Mexico) and their two daughters: Kimberly Traynor (Lee Vining) and Celina Hunt (Santa Fe, New Mexico), four grandchildren: Jake Traynor (Los Angeles), Lex Brode (Brooklyn, New York), Sabrina Traynor (Lee Vining), and Elle Brode (Mammoth Lakes), two sons in law: Tim Traynor (Lee Vining), and Jason Brode (Mammoth Lakes), and countless extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin B. and Alice M. Hunt, as well as his first born child, Kristin Elizabeth Hunt.
There will be a Celebration of Byng’s Life in Mammoth Lakes on June 6, 2026, though the place and time is soon to be announced. Anyone who would like to come and share a few memories, offer condolences, or just sit with others who love him are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made in his name to the Mammoth Lakes Rotary Club or to The Felici Piano Trio in Mammoth Lakes.
