JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida community gathered Saturday evening to celebrate the life of Hunter Ford, a student who died in a motorcycle crash earlier this month.
Dozens gathered at the UNF arena garage wearing pink sporting shirts with Ford’s signature saying “Hey pookies.”
“If there’s one thing I had to pick, it’s just he would love to be everyone’s friend. He would just wanna be everyone’s friend. He didn’t care about anything. Just wanted to be your friend and at the end of the day,” Asher Clark said.
Ford was a 21-year-old UNF student who died in a crash on Oct. 8.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Ford lost his life in a motorcycle crash on Town Center Parkway. Investigators said Ford’s motorcycle collided with a car making a left turn at an intersection. Ford was thrown from the bike and later died at the hospital.
Ford, a Douglas Anderson graduate who enrolled at UNF in August 2022, was known throughout campus as a content creator who frequently shared photos and videos of university life. He was also employed by the university’s ITS Department.
UNF had previously shared a story highlighting Ford’s win at the 2023 AI for Good Hackathon.
One of Hunter’s friends created a GoFundMe to help his family with funeral and memorial costs. Click here if you’d like to donate.
“Hunter was kind, driven, and loved by everyone who knew him. His sudden passing has left his family, friends, and community heartbroken,” the GoFundMe says
The University of North Florida released a statement acknowledging Ford’s passing:
The University is saddened to learn about the passing of UNF student Hunter Ford, who was studying information technology in the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction. He also worked on campus with the ITS Department, where he will be remembered for his bright and kind personality.
University of North Florida Spokesperson