Clifton Eugene (Gene) Hurst

Memorial service for Clifton Eugene (Gene) Hurst will be held at 2 p.m., on Sunday July 26, 2015 at The Gathering Church where he was a member with Pastor Randy Fields officiating. Born on February 10, 1936, he was the son of the late Charles Clinton Hurst and Leda Estelle Willis Hurst. He attended Thomasville High School and served in the National Guard from 1952-1960. Gene was the founder of Hurst Boiler and Welding Co. Inc. in 1967 and was a family man, and entrepreneur, and possessed superior engineering skills with an amazing ability to lead others. He had a rather simple beginning— supporting his family was the utmost thought in his mind. He started his business with faith, a vision and limited capital. He inherited a desire to achieve. Gene was from the old school and believed a man’s word should be his bond. He lived by faith, family support and the many dedicated team members (extended family) at Hurst Boiler. In 2007 he was awarded the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to his community. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Edna Martha Graves Hurst, who he married on November 26, 1954. Other survivors include his children Tommy Hurst (Julie) o Coolidge, Teri White (Tim) of Thomasville, Hayward Hurst (Paige) of Coolidge, Jeff Hurst (Angie Cogland) of Thomasville; grandchildren, Chad Fletcher (April) of Coolidge, Hayley Palmer (Brett) of Coolidge, Cliff Hurst (Melissa) of Coolidge, Whitnie Hall (Josh) of Thomasville, Randle Johnson (Justin) of Coolidge, Jessi Hurst of Coolidge, Bowen Hurst of Coolidge, Jason Hurst (Caren) of Buford, South Carolina, Clint Bugg (Jessica) of Valdosta, Tim White (Morgan) of Matawan, New Jersey; great-grandchildren, Mallory Fletcher of Coolidge, Ava Fletcher of Coolidge, Aiden Hall of Thomasville, Cannon Johnson of Coolidge, Lane Palmer of Coolidge, Hamrick Hurst of Buford, South Carolina, Carson Hurst of Buford, South Carolina, Victoria Hurst of Buford, South Carolina; step-great-grandchildren, Brodi Bugg of Sylvester, Branson Bugg of Sylvester, Devin Browning of Valdosta, Michael Daniel of Valdosta, Andrew Daniel of Valdosta, Alyssa Fowler of Valdosta; brother, Harold Hurst (Barbara) of Kingston, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Betty Jackson and Margie Gaspard (Floyd) all of Morgan City, Louisiana; and adopted family, Francisco Rodriquez of Coolidge. He was preceded in death by his brother, Hubert Hurst. Gene’s family would like to say a special thanks to all of his devoted caregivers. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers his family asks that donations may be made to Lives Without Limits, P.O. Box 1652, Thomasville, Ga. 31799 or to The Gathering Church, P.O. Box 1508, Thomasville, Ga. 31799. Guests may sign the online register book at www.allenfh.com . — Allen & Allen Funeral Home.