Patrick James Hurley

1948 - 2026

Pat was born in Teaneck, New Jersey to Jerry (JJ) and Helen Hurley on April 2, 1948. He was the eldest of five children. An Air Force family, family moved to various bases including Sacramento, Biloxi, MS, Rapid City, SD. In 1958, the Hurleys arrived at Castle AFB and settled in Atwater.

Pat graduated from St. Anthony's grammar school in 1962. He spent his high school years at Our Lady of Mercy in Merced for two years and Atwater High School his last two years. He attended CSU, Sacramento and graduated in May 1970 with a BS in Political Science.

After graduation, Pat worked as a youth pastor in Seattle and Sacramento for a few years. A gifted communicator, he impressed Campus Crusade for Christ, who named him as their national high school speaker. In his lifetime, he traveled extensively throughout the country, eventually speaking to over a million high school students.

In the 1980's, Pat began working in television. He won an Emmy for daytime television (for the Los Angeles PBS affiliate) which boosted his career, eventually working on the Bozo Show for WGN TV in Chicago. For many years after that, he continued to speak in public schools and churches.

In his retirement, Pat wrote several books, screenplays and movie scripts. He was a visionary, dogged and relentless despite setbacks, with an unwavering passion to make a difference in this world. His faith in Christ carried him through his adult life, and he had hope of living eternally with God.

Pat is preceded in death by both of his parents, Jerry and Helen Hurley. He leaves behind one daughter, Corie. In addition, he leaves four siblings: Maureen "Mo" Hurley of Atwater, Jim Hurley (Karen) of Modesto, Mike Hurley (Melanie) of Texas, Rev. Dr. Colleen Hurley-Bates (Mark) of Santa Barbara. In addition, he leaves behind several nephews and nieces: Cameron and Griffin Hurley, Mindy Bond, Molly Hurley, MJ Hurley, and Olivia Bates.

The family will have a private burial. Please join us for a celebration of Pat's life at the Atwater Women's Clubhouse at 2:00 p.m., January 24, 2026. Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atwater high school Frederick's Wardrobe, P.O. Box 835, Atwater, CA 95301, ATT: Dawn Silva. (Frederick's wardrobe is a free, non-profit store serving all students on campus providing clothing, accessories, and toiletry items.).