Leonard Wright Hurst

May 4, 1932 ~ November 5, 2014
Leonard Wright Hurst 82, passed away November 5, 2014 in Orem, UT.
Dad was born May 4, 1932 in Blanding UT. He was the fifth of seven children of Philip and Mabel Hurst.
He was raised in Blanding with three sisters Margie, Lois, and Mabel June and three brothers Terry, Howard, and Scott.
He graduated from San Juan High School in 1950. Dad married his high school sweetheart, Helen Redd, on May 19, 1952 in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He served in the US Army during the Korean War. During his professional career dad worked for the state of Utah, El Paso Natural Gas, and ran his own successful insurance agency.
A lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award. For many years he was the scoutmaster of Troop 311 in Blanding. He loved his scouts.
He enjoyed sharing one of his favorite scouting stories of taking a group of scouts to the 1964 World Fair in New York City, where they successfully traded “porcupine eggs” (cockleburs) for memorabilia from around the world.
Dad enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He was an avid classic toy car, stamp and coin collector. He was also a passionate pilot, owning a Cessna 172 airplane.
Dad had a great love for San Juan County, for its people, its natural beauty, and its history. He enjoyed exploring the canyons and mountains surrounding their home in Blanding. A favorite family activity was going to the mountains for “Leonard Stew”.
Dad was a great story teller and could keep an audience enthralled for hours with his stories. Some of his favorite stories were about family and San Juan history.
Preserving and keeping family history was very important to dad. Giving service was essential to dad. He was sensitive to the needs of others, but often served anonymously not wanting fanfare or recognition. He enjoyed visiting relatives and special people.
Dad was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ was central in his life. He had faith in the Plan of Salvation and in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He knew it. He lived it.
Dad served many years as a teacher in the auxiliaries of the church and in many leadership positions. Along with mom, he served two stake missions, and full-time missions to the New York Utica Mission and to the Houston South Mission. He and mom served as temple workers for many years in the Monticello Utah Temple.
Dad had a life full of accomplishments but his greatest accomplishment was his family. As he used to say when we were saying goodbye, “What will you always remember? That your mother and I love you.” We will remember, Dad.
Survived by children: Rachelle (Alan) Zobrist, Las Vegas NV; Susan Hurst ,Chandler, AZ; Lois (Allan) Paul, Sandy, UT; Jim (Nikki) Hurst, Saratoga Springs, UT and Gretchen (Trace) Stanton, Surprise AZ; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Leonard also shared a special love with the Brian and Alison Snow family and Justin and Stephanie Ivins family.
Preceded in death by his wife Helen Hurst, grandson Eric Christiansen, parents Philip Hurst and Mabel Hurst and siblings Lois Hurst, Terry Hurst and Scott Hurst.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at noon at the Blanding North Chapel (255 E. 200 N. Blanding)
A viewing will be held at the church from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Blanding City Cemetery.
Online guest book at www.sanjuanmortuary.com
“Keep your wings level and your eyes on the horizon.”