James Earl Hurst

lived a simple life. He was kind, quiet, thoughtful and caring. He was a husband, a father and

a grandfather. He helped all he came across and was known by many for his generosity.

Visitation will be Friday, December 19, at 10:00am with services following at 11:00am at Grant

Street Church of Christ in Decatur.

Born in rural Lawrence County on March 7, 1933, he began work at the age of 8, bagging

groceries to help support his family. He built his life on the premise that you should love and

serve God, take care of those around you and work hard every single day.

He used that work ethic to put himself through Florence State Teachers College (now the

University of North Alabama), earning an accounting degree. After a two-year stint in the Army

in the Military Police Corps where he received the rank of 1st Lieutenant, he served as a bank

examiner with the State of Alabama Banking Department for three years before accepting a

position in 1960 as head bookkeeper at Gobble-Fite Lumber Company in Decatur. He

remained with Gobble-Fite for the next 54 years. At the time of his death, he was serving as

President of the company, a position he had held since 2002. In addition, he was among the

12 founding directors of First American Bank of Decatur. In 2012, he was named an honorary

member of the Delta Mu Delta international business honor society recognizing academic

excellence.

Jim Hurst was known for his generosity and service to an array of charities and to his church -

as well as to anyone who needed his assistance. In particular, he was a supporter of Parents

And Children Together, a Decatur-based child abuse prevention program founded by his wife

of 54 years, the late Gail Hurst. This past spring, he was honored by PACT with the Gail Hurst

Service Award while he continued to support his wife's lifelong efforts to prevent child abuse

until his death.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his mother, Zilpha Gore Hurst, and his

sister, Jean Hurst Kennamer. He is survived by his children, Susan Hurst Salter of Wetumpka,

Preston (Leigh Ann) and Tom (Bonnie), both of Decatur, and Margaret Hurst Watts (Chip) of

Hoover and 12 grandchildren. Special thanks to his caregivers and long-time friends, Dianna

Holsomback and Shirley Pharris.

Pallbearers are Ben Rountree, J. Preston Hurst, Gray Hurst, Alex Hurst, Chip Watts, Tommy

Daniels, Tom Jones, Eddie Broyles, Dan Fite, Pat Fite and David Harris.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to PACT (www.pactfamily.org) in

memory of Gail and Jim Hurst.