Edward Charles Hurst

Edward Charles Hurst

Born in California on July 26, 1942 to Aubra Richard Hurst and Olga Hurst, Edward Charles Hurst died on August 7, 2012, following a long and courageous 4-year battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at home. Ed lived and was a student at SAI (Spanish American Institute) and graduated from Gardena High School in 1960. After graduation he joined the Navy at the age of 17, where he served as a Machinist Mate aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) and participated in the Cuban Blockade in 1962. He also served on the USS Montrose before being Honorably Discharged as a Machinist Mate Second Class Petty Officer (E-5). Ed was a hard-working man (careers with Shell Chemical, Farmers Insurance, Sharp Industries and an ILWU Casual) with many interests, who could build or fix anything. He had a great lifelong passion for the automobile and especially for racing. Ed received his SCCA License in 1967 at the Jim Russell Driving School at Riverside Raceway. He enjoyed driving his Honda S2000 in amateur racing events and at various Southern California race track events. In February he fulfilled a bucket list dream and was able to drive a NASCAR stock car at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, thanks to the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience. Ed loved to give of himself, volunteering for Special Olympics as a Coach for Basketball and other sports. In 2009, Ed was presented with the South Bay Special Olympics' Volunteer of the Year Award. Ed also organized and coached the first South Bay VIP Soccer Division with Torrance AYSO Region 12. VIP allows youngsters with challenges or disabilities to enjoy the "everyone plays" philosophy of AYSO Soccer. Ed is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Karen Hurst; his son, James Hurst; his son, Edward Owen Hurst and wife, Kelly; his grandson, Joseph Edward; and granddaughter, Grace due in October; his sister, Carol Hurst; his brother, Richard Hurst and wife, Dot; and his brother, Ray West and wife, Anna; and many nieces and nephews. Ed's family sends special thanks to Cancer Care Associates Redondo Beach, to his caregivers Paul and Jim, and everyone at Trinity Care Hospice. At Ed's wishes he will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ed's memory to "FTEA, Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes," PO Box 3223, Torrance, CA 90510. (www.friendsoftorrea.org) for more information, please email Edward@Hurst.com. Please feel free to share your stories, memories and photos of Ed's life as well. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.