Ritchie Lamar Hurless

Ritchie Lamar Hurless, aka Smooge, passed away on April 4, 2024 at a hospital in suburban Denver at age 82, after losing a long battle with cancer and interstitial lung disease. He was a valiant survivor who never gave up on life.



Rich was born on August 22, 1941 in San Diego, California. His parents were Virginia Ruth Spencer of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Henry Marvin Hurless of Ogden, Iowa. If that combination sounds interesting, it showed up in Rich. He was a surfer growing up in California and later a trophy-winning windsurfer in Denver, in his 60's. He was approached twice by movie scouts as a young man in California. He had the looks and rebel spirit of James Dean. He was a macho guy who could cook and sew, and who read Shakespeare. He worked as an electrician, building contractor, and artist and craftsman restoring classic boats. His last job was as an amateur singer/songwriter who hoped to have a big hit in his 70's.



Rich lived under the shadow of tragedy. Three of his children preceded him in death. They are his sons Ritchie, Jr. and Kenneth, who died as infants, and his daughter, Marilee. He is survived by his daughter, Veronica of Piscataway, New Jersey and his sister, Patricia, of El Cajon, California, and six grandchildren.



His legacy to people was his joyful, childlike enthusiasm that didn't leave him in spite of the sorrow in his life. He had many disappointments but he loved life and never wanted it to end.



In addition to his family, he leaves behind more than friends Beverly, Emerson and John Bennett. They stuck together through thick and thin, good times and bad. His friends will miss the crazy fun.