Richard Gene Hurst

Richard Gene Hurst entered the presence of his Savior on March 18, 2024. Richard was born on March 27, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to his parents Wilbur and Jeanette Hurst. 

He and his family resided there until 1949, when they relocated to the Shawnee Mission, Kansas area. Richard attended school in the Shawnee Mission school district and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1963. Following high school, Richard attended Pittsburg State University. He worked several jobs to finance his education, including one early-morning job preparing breakfast for students at Scotty’s food truck. 

Eventually he met his future wife Carol on a blind date. Richard and Carol married in 1966 in Roeland Park, Kansas. After they married, Richard and Carol lived in a trailer home in Webb City, Missouri where Carol taught first grade while Richard finished school. In 1968, Richard graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After college graduation, Richard and Carol moved to Prairie Village, Kansas where they began raising their two children. Richard began working for Columbian Hog and Cattle Powder Company where he worked for 18 years. 

Around 1980, Richard and his family began attending Woodson Avenue Bible Church in Overland Park, Kansas where he learned about his need for a Savior. He trusted in Jesus as his Savior on Father’s Day, 1981 and began his journey as a follower of Christ. Following his salvation, Richard and Carol hosted a Bible study in their home for several years. 

In 1987, Richard and his family moved to Houston, Texas to join his father’s accounting business. In 1995, Richard took over and operated the business until he retired in 2016. Throughout his professional career, Richard served his employer and his clients with honesty, integrity, and excellence. 

In 2016, Richard and Carol moved to Newton, Kanas where they have enjoyed being grandparents to their five grandchildren. Throughout Richard’s life, he was an avid reader and loved listening to many styles of music, especially jazz and classical. In 1985, Richard even took a vacation day off work on J.S. Bach’s 300^th birthday and celebrated by playing Bach’s music all day! That was a fun day! Richard loved sports and cheered for teams from Kansas City and Houston. Richard also loved to study and discuss American history and current events. 

Richard is survived by his wife Carol of 57 wonderful years, his two children and spouses Richard (Priscila) Hurst Jr. and Heather (James) Wulf, and five beloved grandchildren: Juliana, Holly, Asa, Lillian, and Corinna Wulf. He has one surviving sister, Jennifer (Ed) Riley. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother Charles.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 25, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Kansas 67114. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Newton Bible Church or the American Heart Association and may be left with the funeral home.