Firefighters honor fallen pilot killed in Yosemite wildfire

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KFSN) -- An emotional tribute to a pilot killed while battling a wildfire in Yosemite.

Hundreds of firefighters gathered to honor their fallen comrade today. Geoffrey Craig Hunt, 62, was a veteran contract pilot for Cal Fire. But loved ones say that was just part of his incredible life story.

A solemn song and a sea of blue greeted the family of Craig Hunt outside the Church on the Hill -- firefighters from across the state and Valley all coming together to remember a fallen hero.

Inside the sanctuary, a slideshow gave a glimpse of the man who loved exploring the earth, especially from the sky.

Sarah Hunt Lauterbach said, "Flying was the closest he came to being like the birds he learned to identify by sight & sound."

Hunt's daughter said he was constantly teaching his family about everything from fossils to flowers to the grapes used in his favorite wine. He also taught chemistry at U.C. Santa Cruz and never stopped learning himself.

Sarah added, "If my father was not reading or engrossed in physics, he was playing basketball golf or watching documentary about WW2."

He also had a passion for serving his country, including nearly two decades as a Navy pilot. Years later, he joined DynCorp and began flying dangerous missions for Cal Fire.

Jim Myles with DynCorp said, "You've think about others first and be willing to put your life on the line, dedication to be prepared every day to fly to the x, fly to the point of the fire and put your life on the line to make a difference to the communities in peril and keep your firefighting buddies on the ground safe by giving them the retardant they need to fight the fires."

That's exactly what hunt was doing when his air tanker crashed into the side of a steep granite cliff in Yosemite on October 7th. But loved ones say he accomplished more in his time on earth than many people can even imagine.

Dave Bayley, Navy Veteran & Longtime Friend said, "Craig hunt made a difference, he made the world a better place, how many of us can say that?"

Hunt was based out of Hollister, but was born in Indiana, and that's where he's been laid to rest.