Donald Ray Hurst, 89, passed away at home on April 19th, 2016. He was born October 27, 1926, in Salt Lake City to John M. and Ethel Neslen Hurst.
Don was raised in Salt Lake City and was a charter member of Wasatch Presbyterian Church. After graduation from East High School in 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy to do his duty as part of the USA's "Greatest Generation". During the war, he served in the Pacific Theatre based out of Pearl Harbor on the USS Kingsbury troop transport ship. He piloted landing craft during the invasion of Iwo Jima and other island campaigns. After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Utah and met and married the love of his life, Diane Tripp, in 1948. As newlyweds, Don and Diane moved to San Francisco where he started his 36 year career with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. His tenure included transfers to Casper, WY and Denver, CO, and finally back home to Salt Lake City with their four young children in 1960, where he opened and managed the Fireman's Fund branch office.He retired as Fireman's Fund Salt Lake City Branch Manager and Resident Vice-President of the Intermountain Region.
Don was a Master Mason of Pathfinder Lodge No. 42 in Casper, WY, and a member of the University Club and Willow Creek Country Club. He was an avid sports fan following the SF Giants, SF 49ers, NY Yankees, Utah Jazz and all University of Utah sports teams. He had an amazing sense of humor and stayed connected to his scattered family as an "expert picker" in the Hurst Family NFL football competition. He loved to golf and ski in his younger years and later took great pride in his yard and vegetable garden at their home in Pepperwood. Don and Diane created wonderful memories for their family at their cabin at Bear Lake and enjoyed spending time in Palm Springs.
Don is survived by his wife of 67 years, Diane Tripp Hurst, children: Pamela Dennison (Mike), David Hurst (Cathy), William Hurst (Deborah) and Polly Reynolds (Charles), 11 grandchildren: Kellie Bartz (John), Amanda Thompson, Jonathan Hurst (Rhonda), Jennifer Bauer, Jessica Yurgaitis (Derek), Matthew Thompson, Donald P. Hurst (Erica), Charles Reynolds IV, Darrah Hurst, David W. Hurst, and Elizabeth Reynolds, seven great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Booth A. Tripp and eight nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jack and Gordon, his sister-in-law, Barbara, of Albuquerque, his golf foursome and many friends.
A celebration of Don's life will be held Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Friends and family may call beginning at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Moran Eye Center or the American Heart Association.
The family wishes to thank Ellen Christensen, One Care Home Health and Hospice and all of Don's caregivers at Cottonwood Place Senior Living.
