John Hurst

John Byrne Hurst, born to parents William and Ruth on 16 April, 1937 in Houston, Texas, passed away on 6 February, 2025. He is survived by wife Sue and son Ray, along with extended family including Judy LaFarge and family, Theresa Fowler, and Susan Heywood.

John graduated Lamar High School and went on to earn dual degrees in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston. From there, his career highlights included working with PanAm on NASA’s lunar landing mission and engineering work on iconic Texas institutions such as DFW Airport and Houston’s Ben Taub hospital.

In 1987, John met Sue. Though each had been married previously, this one came with a dog called Buford and a teen-aged son named Ray and would go the distance. John was a cat lover through and through, often taking care of the neighborhood feral cats, but Buford the dog wriggled his way into John’s heart, as did Ray. Sue and John were happily married for nearly 33 years, residing in the Larchmont neighborhood of Houston. There, they proudly opened their home to neighbors and friends from afar, many of whom still consider themselves surrogate family.

Having been born a “city boy,” it turns out John was also a country boy at heart. Shortly after marrying, John and Sue purchased farmland in southeastern Kansas that had been the homestead of Sue’s family during her childhood. That farm was awarded a Century Farm distinction in 2009, acknowledging family ownership of a farm for more than 100 years. For many years to follow, John, Sue and friends would journey to the farm to enjoy the countryside and mingle with local friends, old and new.

John and Sue are both strong people of faith. A regular churchgoer, John had a particular passion for pipe organ music. While attending First Christian Church in Houston, renovations would make it necessary to replace the existing pipe organ. John’s work was integral to sourcing a replacement in Holland, which forever remained a source of immense pride for him. More recently, John and Sue were a strong presence at Bethany Christian Church in River Oaks.

Services will be held 11AM on Saturday, 22 February, 2025 at First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX 77005.

In lieu of flowers, the Hurst family asks that donations be made in John’s name to the Houston Hospice, whom the family thanks for taking such good care of John in his last days.

For Events Honoring John Byrne Hurst on Saturday, 22 February, 2025

Please RSVP to [email protected] for either of the Brookdale events so that we may adequately plan (not required, but helpful). Thank you.

Throughout the day, we will be collecting donations for the Houston Hospice which took such great care of John. For anyone interested in giving, the Hurst family will also be matching the first $500 of gifts. We send our love and thanks to all who have been so supportive in these recent times.