Joseph Ward Hurst Jr.

Joe was born on December 22, 1940, in Fairfield, California, to Joseph W. and Laura (Matthews) Hurst. He was the eldest of eight children. He spent much of his early life in California, where he began working as a stockboy in Fairfield, a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and became a member of the Free Loaders Car Club.

In 1957, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Military Policeman (MP), responsible for guarding aircraft. In 1959, Joe was honorably discharged from the Air Force to return home and help with the family woodcutting business after his father was injured.

Joe married Linda M. Johnstone on September 22, 1961, in Reno, Nevada. Together they had three children: Lisa, Joseph, and Cindy. Joe later married Janet R. Pott on August 28, 1983, in Napa, California. They had one daughter, Selena.

Throughout his working life, Joe held a variety of jobs and developed skills in numerous trades, including boilermaking, construction, and medical equipment manufacturing. His longest career was with the Department of the Navy. First as a Shipwright, then a Plastics Molder, and finally as a Plastics Fabricator. He began that career in 1979 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. Following the shipyard's closure in 1994, he continued at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, retiring in 2005.

After retiring, Joe and his wife, Janet, moved to Diamond Lake, Washington. During their early years there, Joe worked briefly at Ace Hardware in Oldtown, Idaho. Joe and Janet became well known in the community for their annual Surf & Turf BBQ, which they hosted for friends and neighbors for many years. Joe also enjoyed gathering around a table for games, whether it was Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, Kings in the Corner, UNO Flip, or Garbage. He enjoyed playing pool, too.

Joe enjoyed cars, motorcycles, building, and racing. In California, he raced hot rods at Vallejo Raceway and was involved with several organizations, including the San Diego Road Riders Association, Napa Valley Jaycees, the Napa Valley Traveler Motorcycle Club, and the Sam Brannan #1004 Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. He also built custom Volkswagen trikes, earning a feature in the June 1974 issue of Custom Chopper Magazine, and others. Joe eventually took up lawnmower racing and continued competing until the age of 83. He was a supporter of the Armed Forces, volunteering multiple times with Operation: With Love from Home, and was a member of the American Legion in Cusick, Washington.

Joe is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet Hurst, of the family home; his daughters, Selena Clements (James), of Washington, Lisa Huntley (Ben), of South Carolina, and Cindy Clark; his former wife, Linda Butler (Ray); his siblings, Bruce Hurst, Tim Hurst, and Kathie (Hurst) Peterson, all of whom reside in California; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph W. and Laura (Matthews) Hurst; his son, Joseph Ward Hurst III; and his siblings Jennie Hurst, James Hurst, Terry Hurst, and Ina (Hurst) Santos.

To his family, he was Dad, Pops, and Grandpoppy. Joe was proud of his family and their accomplishments. He will be remembered for his endless supply of jokes, his enthusiasm for decorating the yard for the holidays, his creativity, his helping heart, and the way he liked to tease the people he cared about. His knack for making life a little more interesting will be missed by all who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion in Cusick in late spring or early summer. Details will be shared when arrangements are finalized.