Ray Hurst, 101 years, 4 months, 14 days old, passed away on July 21, 2023 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, in Ava, Missouri with his family at his side.
Ray was born March 7, 1922 in Drury, Missouri to Harmon and Delpha (Smith) Hurst. He was one of seven children.
Ray was a United States Army Veteran and served during WWII. He served in combat in Germany, France, Italy, Monaco, and Algeria.
On November 16, 1946, Ray and Bonnie Morgan were united in marriage in Taneyville, Missouri, and they were blessed with two daughters, Donna and Becky.
He was a dairy farmer, and worked for Vestor Keeter Cheese Factory for years. Ray also worked at the sawmill in Bradleyville and finished his working career at the Bradleyville School. He enjoyed turkey and coon hunting, and fishing in his favorite fishing hole in Beaver Creek. Ray remained active while his health allowed him.
Ray was a Christian and a member of the Bradleyville Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond, Lester and Bill Hurst; a sister, Veta Coonts, his son-in-law, Wayne Grigg.
Ray is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his two daughters, Donna Grigg and Becky & Terry Pitts; grandchildren , Evelyn and Pat Cannon, Rhonda and Greg Smoot, Brian Hurst, Leslie and Heston Fish, Karen and Eric Wright; great grandchildren, Tyler Gimlin, Amanda Gimlin, Dawson Fish, Karter Fish, Owen and Colin Wright; one sister, Grace Coonts and a brother, John and Jean Hurst; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Ray will be at 2:00 P.M. , Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Patterson Cemetery, Bradleyville, MO with full military honors by the Troy Herd American Legion #112 and U.S. Army. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. Officiating will be Pastor Duffy Mooney. Memorials may be made to Patterson Cemetery.
