Fred Hurst

Fred Milton Hurst, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Monday, April 6, 2009 in Oklahoma City. He was 87. Fred was born January 29, 1922 in Chandler, Oklahoma, the son of Milt Augustus Hurst and Hannah Marilla Fast Hurst. He was a 1942 graduate of Chandler High School where he was an all-state football player. Fred was inducted into the United States Army Air Corp on October 27, 1942 and served on a bomber crew during the D-day invasion. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and was honorably discharged on September 29, 1945. Fred was married to Ruth Evelyn Mullen on July 19, 1943 at Enid, Oklahoma. Ruth preceded him in death on January 12, 1977. Fred was married to Wanda Jones Surbeck on June 1, 1984 with the couple moving to Oklahoma City in 2005. Fred was employed 38 years with Conoco, working in the Compound and Packaging Department as an Oil Blender at the time of his retirement in 1985. Fred was active in earlier years in helping coach his sons athletic teams. He was a 65 year member of Sunset Baptist Church where he served as deacon. He was a huge fan of the University of Oklahoma football team, holding longtime season tickets. He was a self taught musician, especially skilled on the fiddle. He also enjoyed working in the yard and keeping up several of his rental properties. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of the home; his two children, Dr. Fred Hurst Jr. and wife, Kappy, and Rita Chaney and husband, Charles, all of Yorba Linda, California; one brother, Calvin C. Hurst, Denver, Colorado; three step-children, Debra Surbeck Lykes and husband, Mark, Oklahoma City, Nancy Surbeck Long of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. William L. Surbeck II and wife, Kari, Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Paul Chaney, Janet Chaney, Anne Elizabeth Hurst Kierig and Michael Hurst; three step-grandchildren, Dianne Lykes, Taylor Surbeck and John William Surbeck; one great great grandson, William Kierig; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife; seven brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2009 at Sunset Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Cox of Bartlesville, presiding. Interment will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers will be Paul Chaney, Bill Surbeck, Chris Lykes, Mark Lykes, Chester Level and Richard Arrington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunset Baptist Church, 915 Greenwood Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601. Military Honors will be provided by the Vance Air Force Base Silver Talon Honors Team, Enid, Oklahoma.