Stephen Kelly Hurt

On
October 21, 2020, Stephen Kelly Hurt went to be with the Lord. Steve gave his life to Jesus 46 years earlier
as indicated by his own handwriting in the Bible his mother had given him earlier
in the year 1974. As a HS Junior, He wrote, "Today, I became saved from a
life of unforgiven sin", signed and dated 10-21-74.
Steve
was born in Aberdeen, WA on 10-29-1957.
Steve's early life in a close-knit family in the small town of Montesano,
Washington was full of activities in church, school sports and work. He often described his childhood with many
hilarious stories of antics with a group of a dozen or so friends who often
spent as much time at friend's homes as their own. He was a hard worker at a young age with
paper routes, lawn mowing and farm work that, along with great parents, helped
develop a great attitude and ability for many endeavors.
Steve's
church activities included youth group, a hand bell choir, involvement in a
ministry focused choir, and attendance at many church camps and retreats. He
met his future wife at one of those retreats in 1976.
Steve
was a dedicated athlete earning varsity letters in three sports for each year
of high school. He excelled at wrestling
and became the team captain, earning state championship and other titles and a
college scholarship. After graduating
from high school in Montesano, he attended Grays Harbor Community College and
then transferred to Central Washington University.
Steve
was naturally talented in mechanical projects at an early age and learned by
taking things apart and putting them back together again. He had many early
mechanical related projects from building go-carts, an erector set, fixing lawnmowers
and cars. His father Herman encouraged him. This natural ability led him to
become a licensed plumber and electrical administrator, working for several companies
in the Greater Seattle Area. He was also
very interested in repairing motorcycles as a hobby. After three spinal fusions
and a heart attack, in 2008, he opted to go Lake Washington Vocational
Technical School earning a Certification for Motorcycle, Marine & Power
Equipment. He knew he would be
relocating and wanted to start a business.
Steve
married Lisa Cook in 1980 in her hometown of Randle, WA. They lived in Seattle
while Steve worked at Providence Hospital and Lisa attended UW. They eventually
made their home in Bothell, WA, where they raised their two sons, Isaac and
Aaron. They celebrated their 40th year of marriage just 6 weeks
before he passed.
Steve
was very active with his two son's sports activities and coached many teams
starting with baseball. When Isaac and then Aaron chose Ice Hockey as their
sport of choice, he figured he had to learn to skate so he did. Steve eventually spent between 1997 and 2009
mentoring many young athletes through skill development and locker room
discipline, with a healthy dose of dad jokes and zany humor. He assistant
coached, traveling to over 23 states and to many State championships and even a
trip to Nationals. He was a dedicated mentor and a loving and proud father.
Steve
and Lisa relocated to Zillah, WA in late 2008. His goal was to start a
motorcycle business while Lisa supported her family's established
business. His plans were interrupted by
the loss of his father to cancer. Three months later he found out he had cancer
and went through surgery and chemotherapy.
He would have been a ten year cancer survivor had he lived another
week. Steve started a licensed and
bonded contractor business in 2012.
Unfortunately, although it was successful, it was short lived. Seventeen
medical procedures in twenty years left him disabled but not unmotivated. He
started a Boer Goat farm in 2014. He was
the Goat Whisperer. Raising goats and
other animals was rewarding and created many family memories, yet was
physically hard work and yet another knee surgery loomed and was scheduled just
six days after his death.
Steve
led an adventurous life with strength, determination and persistence. His passing at home was heart disease related.
His legacy to his sons and many others
is to never give up on your potential or your dreams, regardless of where they
lead you.
Steve
is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Mary Hurt. He is survived by his
wife Lisa and their two sons Isaac and Aaron (Nia) Hurt. He is also survived by his older brother Dean
(Rochelle), and sisters Nanine Criswell and Della Hurt, and his nephews Hans
Hurt (Lynette), Morgan Hurt, Josh Criswell and a niece Ashley Criswell.
In
lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association
or the charity of your choice.
Following
the niche placement, a brief Committal Service will be held inside the Chapel
of the Resurrection Mausoleum at 3 PM on August 26, 2023. The Chapel is located
on the grounds of Cedar Park Church, 16300 112th Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011.
Following the service, a reception celebrating Steve's life will be held in
Room 117 of Cedar Park Church with food and refreshments, a photo slideshow,
and a time for sharing memories of Steve.