Gregory Charles Hurley

Gregory Charles Hurley, of Sherwood, Arkansas, passed away on December 9, 2025, at the age of 74. He was born on April 17, 1951, to Emma Sue Moore Hurley and Charles Henry Hurley, who preceded him in death.

Greg grew up in Clinton, Arkansas, where he graduated from Clinton High School. He was known early on for his love of music-playing football on Friday nights and the cornet in the band, later expanding his talents to the bass guitar. He played in several local bands around the Clinton area and at the Fairfield Bay Marina, forming friendships and memories that stayed with him throughout his life.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Central Arkansas, supporting himself in part by performing music around town. One of his favorite stories from that time was about cutting notches into the neck of his bass guitar so he could find the frets in an especially dimly lit bar.

Greg began his professional career with the Little Rock Wastewater Utility (now the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority) as part of the industrial monitoring crew. The work was meaningful, but even more important were the lifelong friendships he built there. While delivering samples to a contract lab, he met Jane Powell, the woman who would later become his wife. They married on March 21, 1987, and Jane often said they had "chemistry" from the beginning.

Greg and Jane later moved to Memphis, where Greg taught himself to play acoustic guitar on his beloved Gibson J45. He quickly developed into an accomplished musician, leading worship in small groups both in Memphis and later in Batesville. His music created moments of connection-between people and with God-that left a lasting impression on all who experienced them.

Greg's most fulfilling professional role was as a water inspector for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. His technical expertise, combined with his calm, unassuming nature, made him exceptionally effective-depending, as he liked to joke, on which side of the inspection one happened to be.

In retirement, Greg discovered a passion for astronomy. He devoted countless hours to researching telescopes, lenses, and mounts, assembling an impressive collection of equipment that both amazed and exasperated his wife. Using his carpentry skills, he crafted a sturdy rolling platform that allowed him to wheel his telescope out of the garage to admire the stars, planets, and his favorite object in the night sky, the Orion Nebula.

Greg will be remembered for his musical gifts, his meticulous attention to detail, his deep pride in his hometown of Clinton, and his unwavering resilience in the face of numerous physical challenges.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Powell Hurley, and his son, Joseph Hurley.

In lieu of a formal funeral service, a gathering of friends will be held this April at Huie Cemetery, where stories and music from Greg's early years will be shared in his honor.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com