VETERAN

Walter Lee Hurd

May 23, 1929 – February 19, 2021

Lived 91 years

Oak Grove Cemetery · Delaware, Ohio

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Walter served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

Walter L. Hurd, 91 years old, left his earthly home on February 19, 2021. He was born in Columbus, Ohio May 23, 1929 to Lewis F. and Mercile B. Laughbaum Hurd.

On Oct. 25, 1953 he married Betty Lou Johnson and they celebrated 67 years! He was preceded in death by brothers Wilbur L. Hurd (his identical twin) and Lewis F. Hurd, Jr. (MIA/KIA WWII) and their parents.

Mr. Hurd graduated from Linden McKinley High School, Columbus, Ohio in 1947 and Ohio State University with B.S. in Music Education in 1951 and an M.A. from Ohio State in 1954.

He taught instrumental and vocal music in Jeffersonville, Ohio. Was the First Band Director at Miami Trace, Washington C.H., Ohio and then became the first Assistant Principal at Delaware Hayes High School, Delaware, Ohio and retired there after 24 years.

During his life he played trombone and other instruments for Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and other big band names of that era, along with the Delaware Community Band.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Eldorado (AGC-11), the USS LSMR 525 and the LST 516 remaining in the Naval Reserve for 40 years as Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Surface Division 4-97; Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Officers School; Naval Reserve Public Affairs Co. 4-3 and Chief of Staff for Naval Reserve Group Command 4-32. He retired in 1989 as a Commander with 42 years active and inactive service. He received the following commendations: Enlisted Good Conduct medal; Naval Reserve medal; Armed Forces Reserve medal; Korean Combat medal (3 Stars); United Nations medal; National defense medal; Korean War Service medal; Croix du Bombattant Voluntaire; Medaille Desoperations De L'Organization, and Des nations Unies EnCoree.

After retirement he was a member of Gideon's International, had a Bible Study at Delaware County Jail, attended Delaware Bible Church and then High Street Baptist Church. He led Choir and band ensemble and sang in Quartets. He was the Chairman of EPU-God and Country Class. Member of TBDBITL Alumni Club, Ohio LST/AMPHIBS Assn., McHale's Navy Breakfast Club, Reserve Officer's Assn., Naval League of the United States, Delaware Amateur Radio Assn., Delaware Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Delaware County Retired Teacher's Assn. and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Music Honorary).

He loved to spend time with family and to golf and fish. His love of the water remained all of his life whether on the boat or at the beach with all his extended family. He and Betty travelled around the world via Military Space A and visited many of the European locations that his Father had been to during WW1. Trier, Germany was a favorite destination.

Survivors include Jana (Mark) Jones, Lisa (George) Harmon, Susan (Bill) Barr, Chris Hurd and Amy; grand kids, Jeremy (Tish) Jones, Jasmine (Robbie) Simpson, Kristin (Jeremiah) Morgan, Hunter Lover, Garrett Lover, Jared Barr, Arianne Barr. Great Grandkids: Haven, Gage, Mason, JJ and Jenna.

The family will receive friends today, February 23, 2021 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center, 101 Valley Side Dr. at W. William Street, Delaware, where services celebrating Walter's life will follow at 1 p.m. The services will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DelawareSFH/ . Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery with full military Honors.

Due to the Covid19 pandemic, face masks and social distancing will be required.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 832, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

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