Hurst, James Pershing

James Pershing Hurst, 70, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013, at his home with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the St. Pius X Catholic Church. The Rev. Phil Thompson will officiate with burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Additional visitation time will be held one hour before the service Saturday at the church.

He is survived by his children, Kenneth (Susan) Hurst of South Ogden, Utah, Kyle (Thuy) Hurst of Cedar Rapids, Kurt (Stephanie) Hurst of Chandler, Ariz., Kristen Hurst of Cedar Rapids, Karolyn (Monte) Drake of Cedar Rapids and Keith (Joan) Hurst of Cedar Rapids; 19 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three brothers, John Hurst of Villa Park, Il., Jerald Hurst of Joliet, Ill. and Joel Hurst of Plainfield, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna; and his parents, Edmond and Sally Hurst.

James was born Aug. 19, 1942 in Chicago, the son of Edmond and Sally (Haas) Hurst. James married Verna Jean Strunk on Sept. 5, 1964, in Stoughton, Wis. Verna passed away Sept. 29, 2011. James owned and operated his own dental laboratories for over 30 years before retiring for the third time in 2013. James was a member of the Cedar Rapids St. Pius X Catholic Church, a former Boy Scout leader and enjoyed woodworking, gardening, fishing, tinkering around and above all he enjoyed his family and grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed for Leukemia Research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, c/o University of Iowa Foundation, 1 West Park Rd., Iowa City, IA 52244.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 7, 2013.

Date of birth updated online only Aug. 9,  2013