Francis G. Hurd

Jerry was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 7, 1937. He was raised in Somerville and Cambridge by his Mother Irene and Father Arthur. He had a younger brother, David, who he dearly loved and also pestered incessantly. As a young boy he had a paper route and loved playing sports both hockey and basketball. In fact he was so good he was given the nickname, “Golden Fingers” on his High school and Army basketball teams. In 1955 he graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School and then attended Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. When he was 19 years old his father died suddenly from a brain aneurism. Shortly after that loss Jerry enlisted in the Marines corp. So free spirited that some referred to him as “goofy”. One particular Marine Sergeant did not take a liking to that goofiness and smacked him in the ear which busted his ear drum and caused him to lose a great deal of hearing in his right ear. Humor got him into trouble, but Jerry stayed patriotic and reenlisted into another branch of service, the Army. There he found a new home for his patriotism and sense of humor.

In 1966, he met his beautiful wife Kay in Seattle at DJ’s “dancehall” when he was stationed Fort Lewis, Wa. On September 9, 1967 they married at Saint Patrick’s church in Seattle, Wa. A few months later Jerry was called serve in the Vietnam War. His fist daughter Karen (Ana) was born in 1968 during his second tour in Nam. Jerry was a platoon leader for the fourth infantry, A company 34 signal BN and was proficient in radio/telegraph tech cryptology. After the war he was stationed in Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Germany where his son David was born. In 1979 he retired from the Army as a Sergeant First Class and moved his family to Seattle, Wa.

Jerry worked at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for several more decades. He also had a “second job” with his wife Kay assisting her with antiques, appraisals and shows. They owned “Hurd’s Antiques” together in Greenwood. A guy who enjoyed working the room, he was lovingly referred to as the “Mayor” of Greenwood. If you had any business to discuss or a karaoke song to sing you could find him at his office “Baranof’s” which soon became his retreat. Jerry loved his sports! Sonics, Thunderbirds, Mariners, Seahawks, Cougs and yes even the Huskies. You name it… he had a hat for it! He loved sports so much for several years he worked as an usher at the Kingdom and Seattle Coliseum to watch his teams play.

Jerry loved life and his family! He had a heart of gold and was the first to offer a hand to those in need. Every person he met came away with a smile, laughter and lighter in spirit. In his early days he seriously considered being a priest. His faith not only ran deep it was the fabric of his life.

Jerry, Sweet Husband, Daddy, Grampy, Papa, Jolly will be remembered as an amazing family man, devoted brother, cousin, friend, and dedicated military guy. His beautiful legacy will live on through his wife of 46 years, Kay; Daughter Karen (Ana), Son David, Daughter-in-law Carla, Son-in-law Blake and his four beautiful grandchildren: Angelina, Lucy, Brayden and Kennedy.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart”

Psalm 37:4