Leo (Jim) Hursh

Leo HurshLeo Hursh, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend passed away at 65 years of age on December 23, 2009 at home in Selah, WA. Leo was born on September 20, 1944 in Marshall, Arkansas to Ed and Abby (Clingings) Hursh. He was the second youngest of seven children and he and his family moved west during his early childhood and settled in Outlook, Washington. He graduated from Sunnyside High School and attended Yakima Valley Community College where he studied journalism. He first laid eyes on the future love of his life, Carolyn Harris, at a Grandview basketball game, and through resourcefulness and persistence, created a marriage that lasted 42 wonderful years. He and Carolyn started a family in Kent, Washington where he served as a King County Deputy for 11 years. After the loss of his close friend and police partner, Sam Hicks, who was killed in the line of duty, Leo and his family relocated back to the Yakima Valley where other immediate family resided. Leo was blessed with the natural ability to play the violin, banjo and guitar, which he often used to enhance his lively story telling. He enjoyed fishing, ranching, and a lot of "tinkering" with anything that required some T.L.C., Duct Tape or WD-40, but his grandchildren were a true source of joy in his life. He was a devout conservative with a strong belief in God and our great nation. Special thanks to Leo's closest friends, Ken Knott III (aka Fluff), Don Story, Duane Allen and many others who have stayed in touch over the years, and most of all to his younger brother Ronnie Hursh. Leo is survived by his wife Carolyn (Harris) Hursh, sons Justin Hursh (Boise, ID), Zachary Hursh and wife Kristen (Selah, WA), daughter Heather (Hursh) Payne and husband Robert (Selah, WA), granddaughter Elizabeth and grandson Jordan, brother Ron Hursh and wife Bonnie (Selah, WA), sister-in-law Shirley Hursh (Yakima, WA) sister-in-law Emily Hursh (Auburn,WA), and sister-in-law Melba Sue Hursh (Sunnyside, WA). Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Abby (Clingings) Hursh, brothers, Clifford, Lee, Hubert, Dorsey Hursh, and sister Anita (Hursh) Pierce. Viewing will be from noon to 5 pm, Sunday and 3-8 p.m. Monday at Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Chapel. Concluding services and burial will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.