John Hurt
John Hurt, age 91, of Porter, Minn., passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Avantara Nursing Home, in Lake Norden, S.D. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m on Friday, July 21, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Wergland Cemetery, rural Porter. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby has been entrusted with the arrangements.
John David Hurt was born on Dec 13, 1931, in East Point, Ky. and later moved to Peru, Ind., with his parents Andrew and Ellen (Burton) Hurt. He attended Peru High School through the eighth grade when he was then able to work to help support the family. He worked at both the furniture factory in town and set bowling pins by hand. In 1951, he enlisted in the US Navy and graduated in 1952 from the Engineman School at Great Lakes, Ill., Naval Academy. He served in the Korean War on the USS 222 Pickaway “The Flying Deuces” and operated an LCVP and later operated a Water Tender. After his discharge in 1954, he worked as a telephone lineman for Henckle & McCoy. In 1962 he became the district manager of Central Telephone Company in Canby, Minn., until his retirement in 1995.
John was united in marriage to Barbara Denker on March 29, 1969, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter. Born to this union were one daughter and three sons.
John loved fishing, hunting, trapping, and woodworking. He was an exceptional trapshooter and marksman. He enjoyed many trips to Canada and Northern Minnesota fishing. He frequented many local duck hunting sloughs along with fields and woods for pheasant and deer. John was also a very talented musician and singer, playing the guitar and mandolin. Along with these many activities, he was also an accomplished pilot. When he wasn’t at work or after he retired, John would be in his garden or working on many projects around the house.
John was a member of the Porter American Legion Post #457, Canby Rotary Club, and the oldest living member of the Canby Sportsman Club. He served as the fire chief of the Porter Fire Department for many years.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Michelle (Vern) Macht of Canby, James (Heather) Hurt of Woodlake, Minn., Jeffrey (Amy) Hurt of Mt. Vernon, S.D., and Justin (Heather) Hurt of Bozeman, Mont.; grandchildren, Jennifer; Brandon, Taylor, Ashlyn, Kyler, Jade, and Chelsea; Jordan, Joe, Josh, and Sarah; Wyatt, Hadley, and Levi; 12 great-grandchildren with another on the way; his sister, Opal Carter of Chili, Ind.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. We also can’t forget his big, black dog, Jake, and cat, Rusty.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruby Harp; granddaughter, Courtney Macht; and grandson, Brook Hurt.
We will miss your stories, feistiness, laugh, and smile.
Go rest in peace, you have earned it!