Obituaries

Stephen Kelly Hurt

Obituary

On October 21, 2020, Stephen Kelly Hurt went to be with the Lord.  Steve gave his life to Jesus 46 years earlier as indicated by his own handwriting in the Bible his mother had given him earlier in the year 1974. As a HS Junior, He wrote, “Today, I became saved from a life of unforgiven sin”, signed and dated 10-21-74.

Steve was born in Aberdeen, WA on 10-29-1957.  Steve’s early life in a close-knit family in the small town of Montesano, Washington was full of activities in church, school sports and work.  He often described his childhood with many hilarious stories of antics with a group of a dozen or so friends who often spent as much time at friend’s homes as their own.  He was a hard worker at a young age with paper routes, lawn mowing and farm work that, along with great parents, helped develop a great attitude and ability for many endeavors.

Steve’s church activities included youth group, a hand bell choir, involvement in a ministry focused choir, and attendance at many church camps and retreats. He met his future wife at one of those retreats in 1976.

Steve was a dedicated athlete earning varsity letters in three sports for each year of high school.  He excelled at wrestling and became the team captain, earning state championship and other titles and a college scholarship.  After graduating from high school in Montesano, he attended Grays Harbor Community College and then transferred to Central Washington University.

Steve was naturally talented in mechanical projects at an early age and learned by taking things apart and putting them back together again. He had many early mechanical related projects from building go-carts, an erector set, fixing lawnmowers and cars. His father Herman encouraged him. This natural ability led him to become a licensed plumber and electrical administrator, working for several companies in the Greater Seattle Area.  He was also very interested in repairing motorcycles as a hobby. After three spinal fusions and a heart attack, in 2008, he opted to go Lake Washington Vocational Technical School earning a Certification for Motorcycle, Marine & Power Equipment.  He knew he would be relocating and wanted to start a business.

Steve married Lisa Cook in 1980 in her hometown of Randle, WA. They lived in Seattle while Steve worked at Providence Hospital and Lisa attended UW. They eventually made their home in Bothell, WA, where they raised their two sons, Isaac and Aaron. They celebrated their 40th year of marriage just 6 weeks before he passed.

Steve was very active with his two son’s sports activities and coached many teams starting with baseball. When Isaac and then Aaron chose Ice Hockey as their sport of choice, he figured he had to learn to skate so he did.  Steve eventually spent between 1997 and 2009 mentoring many young athletes through skill development and locker room discipline, with a healthy dose of dad jokes and zany humor. He assistant coached, traveling to over 23 states and to many State championships and even a trip to Nationals. He was a dedicated mentor and a loving and proud father.

Steve and Lisa relocated to Zillah, WA in late 2008. His goal was to start a motorcycle business while Lisa supported her family’s established business.  His plans were interrupted by the loss of his father to cancer. Three months later he found out he had cancer and went through surgery and chemotherapy.  He would have been a ten year cancer survivor had he lived another week.  Steve started a licensed and bonded contractor business in 2012.  Unfortunately, although it was successful, it was short lived. Seventeen medical procedures in twenty years left him disabled but not unmotivated. He started a Boer Goat farm in 2014.  He was the Goat Whisperer.  Raising goats and other animals was rewarding and created many family memories, yet was physically hard work and yet another knee surgery loomed and was scheduled just six days after his death.

Steve led an adventurous life with strength, determination and persistence.  His passing at home was heart disease related.  His legacy to his sons and many others is to never give up on your potential or your dreams, regardless of where they lead you.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Mary Hurt. He is survived by his wife Lisa and their two sons Isaac and Aaron (Nia) Hurt.  He is also survived by his older brother Dean (Rochelle), and sisters Nanine Criswell and Della Hurt, and his nephews Hans Hurt (Lynette), Morgan Hurt, Josh Criswell and a niece Ashley Criswell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

Following the niche placement, a brief Committal Service will be held inside the Chapel of the Resurrection Mausoleum at 3 PM on August 26, 2023. The Chapel is located on the grounds of Cedar Park Church, 16300 112th Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Following the service, a reception celebrating Steve’s life will be held in Room 117 of Cedar Park Church with food and refreshments, a photo slideshow, and a time for sharing memories of Steve.