The Lake Anna community lost two leaders this winter; developer David Lyle Hunter, 82 and past Lake Anna Business Partnership president Mark E. Smith, 56.

   Hunter was a dedicated real estate investor leaving a lasting impact. He developed properties in northern Virginia such as Fair Lakes, Fairfax Town Center, Little Rocky Run and Oakton. 

  David joined the Army when he was 17- his father had to sign for him, since he was underage. He proudly served in Germany with the 11th Airborne and later became company clerk with the 24th Infantry Division.

  After the Army, David went back to his home state of Pennsylvania, first working at the Evenflo baby-bottle factory, then in his step-father’s Titusville office supply company. Looking for more, at 23 years-old, he left Pennsylvania, with $600 in his wallet, and drove his Chevy Impala to Washington D.C. He was then hired at Ginn’s Office Supply Company in the government contracting department. Later, he moved into their sales division and sold tractor-trailer loads of office supplies. David always strived for more, and his next step was to earn his commercial real estate license where he also excelled. He used this momentum and knowledge to start his own development business, Hunter Properties, Inc.

  Hunter went on to further his career with real estate investment properties such as child care centers, pharmacy properties, and FedEx distribution centers. In addition, he assembled properties at Lake Anna, where he lived; The Estates at Terry’s Run, Estates at Corsair Terrace, Goodwin Cove, and Pointe Seanna.

  Not only was Hunter a successful businessman, he was also a philanthropist donating to the National Air and Space Museum, the Flint Hill School, the National Museum of the United States Army, and many more.

 His home, just inside the mouth of Pigeon Run is recognized as one of the lake’s landmark properties and has a number of unique features that visitors enjoyed.

 David is survived by his partner: Michele Munsch, his two sons: John Hunter and Paul Hunter, and his sister; Leora.

  Smith, who passed away February 16, was a long-time lake area resident and former president/board member of LABP who worked as a mortgage banker for 15 years, writing many loans for LKAers. He served on the LABP board from 2016-21, as president 2019-20 and as Treasurer from 2021-22. He also served on the board of New Bridge Fire & Rescue Foundation.

  He was a die-hard South Carolina Gamecocks fan and he and Susan often travelled to the games. Every year he enjoyed travelling to Lexington for his family reunion at Millhole Creek.

    His is survived by his wife, Susan; mother Margaret Williams Smith of Locust Grove; brother Matthew of Lexington, SC; sister Mollie Gross of Mount Pleasant, SC.

   Smith is survived by his wife, Susan.