Obituary

Sept. 10, 1920 – Oct. 16, 2010

Hurst, Milton Thomas, LCDR USN, Retired, Jacksonville, Florida. Dad, Daddy, and Papa Fix IT passed away after a brief illness.  He was born the eldest child of Arthur and Florence Hurst in Northeast, Pennsylvania. Dad spent his youth working on the family farms and playing baseball.  Upon graduation from high school Milton attended college on a baseball scholarship.  He joined the Navy in 1939 and served in WWII. Milton was assigned to the USS Arizona and was a shipboard survivor of the attack at the start of WWII on Dec. 7, 1941.  Milton served aboard naval carriers during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Upon retirement he worked as a government subcontractor in Washington, DC and later as an engineer for Tele-Dyne Inet. With Tele-Dyne, Milton designed and supervised the installation of Power Distribution Systems at International Airports in the states and abroad. 

Milton loved baseball and had been scouted by professional teams, but could not pass the physicals due to his knees having been injured numerous times playing catcher.  He turned his athletic talents to the game of golf and was a fierce competitor with a near scratch handicap. 

Milton and his wife Marion built their home on Old Plank Rd in Jacksonville with minimal outside contractor assistance.  Work in the home was accomplished with their gifted talents and still exists today showing their craftsmanship, hard work and love of the land.

Marion preceded Milton to heaven 11 years ago and is waiting there to greet him with Jesus, his brothers and sisters Kenny, Larry, Jack, Jimmy, Tex, Orissa and Vera.  Milton is survived by his youngest sister Hazel Halter, Sherman, New York,  his sons and daughters, Ronnie and wife Mary Elizabeth Hurst, Franklin, Tenn., Linda and her husband Malcom Jowers, Jacksonville, Fl., Jay and his wife Nancy Hurst, Jacksonville, Fl., Gay and her husband Dan Pender, Slidell, La., as well as his friend and companion Ginger Coggins, who brought him great joy, love and happiness these last few years.  He leaves behind 9 grand children and 16 great grand children and countless friends. 

Milton was a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church and the George Simmons Bible class.

One of the many fine qualities about Dad was he was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need. Dad you’re the “Best” and of the “Greatest Generation”.  A renaissance man in every sense of the word. You will be missed and forever loved by those whose lives you’ve touched.

Graveside services will be held at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32205, 904  781-9262 with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the youth programs at Riverside Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Northeast Florida.