Jeannie:  My love to you during this most difficult time.  You are special and so was John.  RIP to John.  Love to you.  Always your fan, Joe Sleeper

My prayers are with you Jeanne.  So sorry. Love Colleen

John was one of those teachers...He inspired me throughout my time at Boulder High School '76. We shared a lot of laughs with the German Club and outings in the mountains. John and I lost touch when I left for college where I studied German for another four years. His inspiration led me to a Bachelors in Foreign Languages. Then, out of the blue, John became my customer 40 years later. He told me of his illness but it was always in the context of how he was fighting it and everything was so positive. But then, that's the way John lived his life, always positive.  I am so sorry to have learned of his passing this week. The news took me completely by surprise. I haven't stopped thinking about him since I heard. He will be missed. Jeanne, thanks for letting me raid your fridge, John told me that story again forty years later!

So sorry to hear about John, my thoughts are with you all.  I was thinking of John last weekend while reading the Dryhead book.  I am so glad to have known him, and grateful for all of the advice and encouragement he gave me on collecting, working and selling rocks.  I did not get a chance to tell him that I will be a dealer for the first time this April.   Sending strength and love to all of you during this difficult time.  Craig



Liebe Jeanne,
wir sind sehr traurig und trauern mit Dir und Deiner Familie um John.
John ist fr uns in all den Jahren viel mehr gewesen, als  nur ein guter Freund!
In unserer Trauer sind wir jedoch dankbar dafr, dass wir John vor fast 
30 Jahren in Moskau kennenlernen durften.
Es war der Beginn einer besonderen Freundschaft, die immer intensiver wurde.
Liebe Jeanne, wir vermissen John sehr, aber er wird in unserer Erinnerung immer bei uns sein.
Die 5 Hammelbacher und 1 Rimbacherin

Opa, knowing you is such a gift to our family.   We were so grateful to have you and Oma in our lives.   Who else would have given the kids such a wonderful book as "Everyone needs a rock".    We think of you daily and are missing you so much.   Love and hugs- the Goodman Family

Jeanne,
Pam and I are sorry to hear about John?s death.  John and I spent many years together at Boulder High.

I shan't ever be able to enjoy German again without thinking of him beginning with that day at Casey Junior High in Frau Polk's class when he appeared to encourage us to continue with our studies at Boulder High School.  I've continued ever since knowing that he was there to share at any time.  He is a large part of that which is good in me.

I am a new member of FMC. I always thought John was quite a wonderful gentleman.  Sorry for your loss. Eileen Fitzgerald

What a sad loss for all of us still here, tempered by the knowledge that his soul has passed on to an even better place. I am happy John was able continue as vibrant as just three months ago when he still set up his booth at the gem show to participate in life even as his numbers took a bad turn. We are of the same generation. I hope to meet you again John when, in some way not yet known, inevitably, my own numbers take a bad turn. Until then, you will be missed by the rest of us still in this part of the wonder of life. Goodbye for now, my friend! Dean Baldwin

I graduated in '96 and had you for German. Thank you and you will be missed.

Jeanne and family, we are so sad to learn of John's passing.   Our love and prayers are with you.   Cy and Beth Phillips

I knew John through his daughter-in-law Genevieve.  I was invited in one day to give an opinion on the book cover for Dryhead Agate, and was excited to buy one that John had signed.  I remember that he and Jeanne showed so much genuine interest in my Smart car and took it for a test drive. He was a lovely, funny person who also laughed at my jokes I know how much he will be missed.

Dear Jeannie:
We're so sorry for your loss. We'll miss you and John in Germany next week.
Doug and Susan Moore

I have known John and Jeannie  what seems like forever, well over 40 years.
Always enjoyed a bit of German chat when I met up with him and of course, the rocks. He was often my go to person for IDs. 
So truly shocked, and sending condolences
to family members.

Ellie Peevler
He was a one of kind guy.

My deepest sympathy for you and your family at this difficult time.

Dear Jeannie,

with a lot of regret we heard that John passed away. We would like to give you our dearest condolences.
We will always remember John as a kind person with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a passionate 
collector of agates and we are very happy that he was able to publish his book on agates and present it
also here in germany.
We will miss him.

I wish I had the words to express what I saw in John and his influence on others. John volunteered in my classroom; he became Opa to all of us. He was constantly learning, and he shared his fascination with the world with my students. He was a role model. He was generous. He was tremendously encouraging to me and to my students. He was humble but so intelligent that I doubt I ever left a conversation with him without learning something. I am grateful to have known John and to have seen him have an influence on so many. All my love to the equally generous and kind Jeanne

Jeanne,
So sorry to hear about John. John and I spent
a lot time together when we were in high school.I have such fond memories of him and the others when we use to hang out with in high school. Those memories will last forever
with me and the life long friends he had.
Both my wife and I offer our prayers and
condolences to Jeanne and your family.

Love Phyllis and Vic Tisone
school.

"Whatever life holds in store, I could ask for nothing more than sharing it with you" (Freedom Greetings)John shared his life with so many--family, friends, students, rock hounds and more. His many kindnesses and loving deeds are the treasures I keep in my heart, enriching my life forever.  John truly brightened my life.  His sister, Cindy

Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a shock! Lorrie and I send our love and strength. What a wonderful man. I will look for a service announcement. Much love my dear, please take care.

Jeanne, I'm stunned and sorry to hear that John has died. I remember him fondly from high school and from working together at Ideal Market when we were all young.

John was a special person, always friendly, and loved to talk about agates. We will miss him, and send our sincerest condolences to Jeanne and his family.

Sad to lose a fellow "agate head".  John will be missed.  

Brian Costigan

John left an indelible mark on my life, inspiring me to study languages and explore other cultures. While in High School, he took me on a tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland -- a trip that left a deep and lasting impression on me. Among all my teachers, he is the one that stands out the most, the one who took personal interest in his students, involving them in music and cultural experiences that helped them grow and branch out into the world. I am so grateful to have been his student and balalaika band member and friend.

I really don't know where to begin... Thank you for being a wonderful father to Shane. That made him a wonderful father to Buddy... Thank you for being an Awesome Opa to Buddy and caring about his path in the world. You will be missed dearly and will always be remembered... Hassie Hurst

Always a teacher and mover and shaker.  I'll miss you John... 'til we meet again.

John was a wonderful man and friend.  We are pleased to have had the privilege to of know him and his family.  God be with the family.    Paul and Jane

OBITUARY

John Thomas Hurst

23 May, 1944 – 4 March, 2015

Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park

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