Owen Russell Hurst Obituary (1925 - 2025)

Born May 02, 1925, Owen Russell Hurst was faculty at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, WA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Owen Russell Hurst.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Birth	May 02, 1925
Date of Passing	Jan 04, 2025
About	Owen Russell Hurst was born on May 2, 1925, in Wakpala, South Dakota, the middle child to parents Roy and Ethel Hurst. He had an older sister, Ruth and a younger sister, Doris. For the first 10 years of his life, Dad was raised on a large and successful farm, learning to ride his own horse and work hard at a very young age. The Great Depression and Dust Bowl, however, changed the course of his family's life, as they moved to the Yakima Valley with all of their possessions in a car and trailer. Having eventually settled in a farmhouse in Buena, Dad worked in the orchards and attended school in Zillah and then graduated from Toppenish High School. Dad was a great student athlete, as he held the school record for the 100 yard dash for many years. While WWII was underway, Dad successfully passed a rigorous exam administered by the Navy's Officer Training Program during his senior year of high school. After graduating, he attended Gonzaga and Reed Universities, eventually earning a Bachelor's Degree in Naval Science. During the war, he was stationed out of both San Diego, California and Portland, Maine, patrolling those respective coasts as a navy officer. When the war ended, Dad used his GI Bill to earn an accounting degree and master's in school administration from the University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is where Dad began his teaching career where he taught business courses at the high school level. He continued his career in education at R.A. Long High School in Longview, Washington. In 1963, Dad moved his young family to Yakima, Washington, where he worked for many years at Eisenhower High School as a counselor, an assistant principal and a principal. He was also principal at Davis High School for a number of years and concluded his career as the Yakima School District's Director of Transportation. In all of his various roles, Dad was a true professional, having earned the respect, trust and admiration of his students, staff and parents. Dad made the most of his life. He was a skilled carpenter and could fix most anything. He loved boating, water skiing, fishing and most of all golf. Dad outlived most of his golfing buddies as he continued playing well into his early nineties. As time progressed, he would play golf with whom he considered the kids -- men in their seventies. Dad was a member of the Elks for many years and at one time served as an officer in that organization. He also had a lifetime devotion to fitness. Dad worked out everyday -- well into his upper 90's. Dad was a remarkable father and man. He dedicated his life to his family and loved ones. Dad's loyalty, patience and perseverance prevailed through the tough times and losses he experienced. In previous years he mourned the loss of his parents, his sisters, his beloved wife Margie (Roady) Hurst and his youngest son, Gregg Hurst. Yet, Dad remained strong and always maintained a positive outlook on life and always had that twinkle in his eye that communicated love and strength. Surviving Dad are Mark Chisholm (son of Dad's first marriage to Phyllis Bailey); son Curtis Hurst, daughter Susan (Hurst) Adams; grandsons Ryan Hurst and Andy Hurst; daughters in law Joyce Hurst and Leslie Hurst; and, three great grandchildren Alexia, Emily and Violet Hurst. Loved ones Dasha Hurst (Ryan's wife) and Marie Hurst (Ryan and Andy's mother and grandmother to Alexia, Emily and Violet) share in our grief. Dad passed away peacefully, with his surviving children by his side, on December 8, 2024. He will be forever cherished in our hearts.