Dying Dad Manages to Cuddle Baby Girl for First Time after Her Early Arrival — Passes Away Days Later

Months after learning his wife was pregnant with their first baby, a man was diagnosed with an incurable condition. The doctors said he might not get a chance to welcome his baby girl, so his wife decided to deliver early, unaware of how things would unfold days later.

James Hunter was a loving husband to Beccy Flint from Sutton Coldfield, England. His friends and family knew how much he wanted to have a big family, but fate's plans didn't give him a chance to fulfill his dream.

Besides being the best husband to the love of his life, Hunter was passionate about soccer. He began playing as a teenager and joined the Sutton United Football Club, where he later became its manager.

A Passionate Soccer Player

Hunter was a P.E. teacher in Sutton Coldfield's John Wilmott School, where he encouraged students to focus on physical activities and inspired many young lives to play soccer. He was an excellent teacher, trainer, and husband, and wished to be the perfect father too.

Hunter played soccer until 2018 when he became a coach for adult soccer. His students loved him, and he never failed to inspire them positively. The fact that he dedicated his life to soccer reflected how passionate he was about it.

When it came to soccer, Hunter had his standards set high. He never wanted his students to settle for less, so he always pushed them to achieve the best results. He was a teacher every student deserved to have.

The Best Coach

The age of his students never mattered to Hunter. His friends were in awe of how he had trained a team of players of 6-year-olds to adults. For Hunter, all that mattered was skills.

At this point, the doctors had given up and told Hunter that he didn't have much time to live.

As a Sutton United Football Club manager, Hunter gave sincere suggestions to the team's chairman and always focused on improvements. He was a great asset to the team but couldn't stay with them for too long because of fate's plans.

His First Baby

Besides being a passionate soccer fan, Hunter wanted to have a family with the woman he loved the most. His friends and family knew how much he loved Flint and were delighted when he told them they were expecting a baby.

It was one of the best days of Hunter's life when he found out his wife was pregnant. At the time, he had no idea that his life would take an unexpected turn a few months later.

Hunter and Flint learned about their pregnancy in 2019, and their baby was due by the end of May 2020. The couple thought they would learn new things about parenthood during their pregnancy period, unaware that a shocking diagnosis would change everything for them.

Things Took an Unexpected Turn

One day in October 2019, Hunter complained of unusual sharp pain in his body and visited the doctor for a consult. Like most people, the soon-to-be father never imagined he would be diagnosed with cancer.

In March, doctors told Hunter he had kidney cancer. Hearing the C-word left him and his wife devastated because it meant Hunter might not be able to watch his daughter grow old or tell her stories. He wouldn't be there to see her graduate or walk her down the aisle.

Hunter's friends and family were also shocked to learn that he was diagnosed with such a severe condition at just 38. They had always thought he had years of happiness ahead of him, but the reality was otherwise.

The Doctors Gave Up

Soon, another trip to the hospital revealed that Hunter's cancer had worsened and spread to his liver. At this point, the doctors had given up and told Hunter that he didn't have much time to live.

When Hunter's friends Phil Taylor and Chad Duggan learned that the doctors had given up, they set up an online fundraiser to help Flint after his death. They said:

"As if life isn’t cruel enough, Beccy may have to face childbirth without Jamie, as his health is deteriorating every day."

His Final Wish

After talking to his doctors, Hunter was only concerned about one thing―meeting his daughter. He had always dreamt of having children, and the thought of passing away before his baby's birth broke his heart. At the least, he wanted to hold his little girl in his arms before he died.

To respect his last wish, Flint decided to deliver her baby early, and with the help of her doctors, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Harper May Hunter, on May 11. It was an emotional moment for the entire family when Hunter held his daughter for the first time. Taylor said:

"It went well, and they've asked to be left alone so they can enjoy their precious time together now."

Two Days Later

Holding one's baby for the first time is a special moment for every parent, but it was much more than that for Hunter. He didn't know how much time he had left in this world, but he was happy fate gave him a chance to meet his daughter.

The new father breathed his last just 48 hours after seeing his baby girl, leaving his friends and family devastated. Pete Lugg, Chairman of Sutton United Football Club, said:

"It is a testament to Jamie's character that he fought so hard to be around for the birth of his daughter, and we are all so pleased that he made it."

The Online Response

When Netizens learned about Hunter's story, they couldn't help but share messages of support for his family. Here are a few comments from Facebook:

"My aunt has just told me this sad news. She met him when he was 11, and he taught her granddaughter. He was a lovely boy and a great man. RISE IN PEACE, James. Bless you."

― (@Vanessa Lecointe) May 14, 2020

"I'm so glad you got to hold your baby."

― (@Mazza Bezza) May 13, 2020

"Rest in peace, Jamie. Beautiful picture."

― (@Vernis Martin) May 14, 2020

Harper won't remember the first time her father saw her, but she will always know her father was a fantastic human. We hope the little one grows up to inspire other people like her father.

Click here to read another story about a mother who died hours after giving birth, leaving her husband to raise their only daughter alone.