Extracted from The Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011

JAMES PERSHING HURT Sr.

GANADO -- James Pershing Hurt Sr., of Ganado, passed away Monday, June 20, 2011. He was born April 3, 1918, in Seagoville, to the late Thomas Calvin Hurt Sr. and Mattie Pearl Hanes Hurt.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Ganado. He was a patriot, a World War II veteran serving as a heavy machine-gunner in the United States Army's 41st ``Jungleer'' Infantry Division. Jim fought in the campaigns for New Guinea and the islands leading to the liberation of the Philippines. He was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal for his service. He was a Master Mason and a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas for over 60 years. Jim loved his country and the ideals on which she was founded and was honored to have served in her defense. He was a member of what is commonly called ``The Greatest Generation''. The ``Greatest Generation'' is made up of those who grew up in the United States during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II. Many believe that this was the greatest generation any society has ever produced. They fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. When they came back from the war they rebuilt America into the greatest superpower and bastion of freedom and religious liberty the world has ever known. Jim embodied the traits of the generation of which he was a member. He always did things because ``it was the right thing to do.'' He was an honest man, a gentle man, a good man...a role model and hero in the best sense of the words.

He is survived by daughter, Beverly (Jimmy) Greenawalt of Ganado; sons, James P. (Kay) Hurt of Edna, John P. (Debbie) Hurt of Ganado, and Gene A. (Susan) Hurt of Ganado; seven grandchildren, Norman Hurt, Chad Hurt (Juli), Brad Hurt (Amy), Mark Greenawalt, Bryan Hurt (Shelby), Brittany Bures (Heath), and Amy Montes (Tony); nine great-grandchildren, Logan Hurt, Riley Hurt, Jaxyn Bures, Saylor Bures, Beau Bures, Hannah Montes, Matthew Montes, Jack Hurt, and Avery Sulak.; and granddaughter-in-law, Terra Hurt.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Socha Hurt, parents; sisters, Alice Chapman, Florece Ausbaum, Dorothy Sopko, Cozette Legan, and Mozelle Novasad; and brothers, Kenneth Hurt, Clint Hurt, and Thomas Hurt.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Ganado Funeral Home, 800 South 3rd Street, in Ganado.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Ganado, the Rev. Tony Wishert officiating. Burial will follow at Ganado Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Norman Hurt, Chad Hurt, Brad Hurt, Mark Greenawalt, Bryan Hurt, and C.C. Hurt.

Honorary pallbearers are Brittany Bures, Amy Montes, Larry Novosad, Michael Novosad, and the ``Feedstore Coffee Club''.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Ganado or Hospice of South Texas.

Ganado Funeral Home, Ganado, 361-771-2120.