R. Lynn Hurtt

Ronald Lynn Hurtt was born to William Henry and Lora Lucinda (Smith) Hurtt on July 19, 1938 in Wright County, Missouri and passed away at his home in Mtn. Grove, Missouri on June 16, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Lynn married his sweetheart, Jo Long, whom he affectionately referred to as his Jody, on January 1, 1958. Their romance began and always was a relationship of true love and affection, and there was no one in the world Lynn loved more than his sweet wife Jo. Their fifty-one year marriage was one of mutual respect, admiration, trust and friendship--one that served as a wonderful model for their children and grandchildren. Lynn graduated from Mountain Grove High School and joined the Army at age 17. He had a long career of military service, both active and reserve, as well as in the National Guard. He received a direct commission in 1977 as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, and retired from the military in 1993 as a Lt. Colonel. Altogether he served his country for 36 years, and did so with honor and pride. In 1960, Lynn went to work for the Evans-Craig Funeral Home in Mountain Grove, but because of the Berlin Crisis he was called back into service until August 1962. Upon his return, he entered into a partnership to buy the funeral home in Mountain Grove which now bears his name. In 1968, Lynn was elected Wright County coroner and served in that position for thirty-two years. During that period of time he was instrumental in bringing changes to the laws governing the office of coroner. Lynn and Jo ministered to hundreds of bereaved families throughout their years as funeral directors. Lynn retired from the funeral home in 1998. Today the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home is operated by his son, Ben, in the same location so familiar to generations of area residents. Lynn prioritized his education and made sacrifices to attend night school to earn his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College in 1977. He loved to read, staying current on national and world events, and was a lifelong learner. Lynn was active in his community and loved helping others, dedicating much of his time to civic and charitable community service. He served as Wright County Service Officer to military families with the Red Cross and throughout the years had given eighteen gallons of blood. He was president of the Jaycees and received recognition as Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1970. He was a Mason since 1964 and a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club. He was a founding member of the board for Unique Services (a sheltered workshop), the Wright County Children's Home, and the MGHS Alumni Memorial Foundation that is responsible for the planning and construction of Alumni Park. He served on the board of directors for Legacy Bank. Lynn was active for years in Republican politics, serving as a past president of T.A.R.G.E.T., the local Wright County Republican organization, and amassing an impressively large collection of elephants, the symbol of his beloved party. Lynn was awarded the Republican Lifetime Achievement Award from that chapter at the 2009 Wright County Lincoln Day Banquet. For all who served with him on organizations, Lynn was respected for his wise counsel, reasoned discourse and civil attitude. Lynn loved the Lord and spent his life dedicated to serving Him. Lynn and his family were members of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Mountain Grove where he served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and member of the Board of Trustees. He was a Deacon and a choir member. He also filled a place of leadership in developing the Mountain Grove Christian Academy, a private school for students K3-12. Lynn will be remembered by his family as a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He raised his family the way he lived his life: with strong moral and Christian principles, teaching his children and grandchildren to put God and others before themselves. Lynn loved to sing, and often sang, whether it was playful singing with his family around the house or worshipful singing in his church choir. Lynn received his private pilot’s license in 1966. He had the opportunity to own and fly several different aircraft. He loved to fly and often took trips with his son Ben, also a pilot. He loved to travel and take trips with Jo in their motor home, to visit their family and friends. Those who knew Lynn best would say that his greatest desire was to leave a legacy of faithfulness: faithfulness to God, to his family, to his community, and to his country. He passes to his children, grandchildren, family and friends a lasting and meaningful legacy of community service, civic activism, and selfless service to God and others. Matthew 25:23 rings true, as the Lord has surely said unto him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother: James Hurtt; his brother-in-law: Delbert Carter; and his sister-in-law: Donna Owen. Lynn was the devoted and faithful husband of Jo (Long) Hurtt of their home. He was the loving father of three children: Robin (Hurtt) Housley, and her husband, John, of Nixa, Missouri; Pam (Hurtt) Simpson, and her husband, Rick, of Springfield, Missouri; and Ben Hurtt and his wife, Rhonda, of Mountain Grove. He was the proud and doting grandfather, or Papa, to eight grandchildren: Holly Marling and her husband, Michael, Jason Dake, and his wife, Crystal, Lucinda Housley, Emily Dake, Lydia Housley, Zachary Hurtt, Elynn Hurtt and Luke Hurtt; and two great-grandchildren: Elias and Alisa Marling. He is also survived by his sister, Greta Carter, of Lee's Summit, Missouri; several nieces, nephews; and a host of other relatives, friends and church family who will dearly miss him.


Funeral Services:
Saturday, June 20th at 2:00 PM in the First Freewill Baptist Church at 401 S. Main in Mtn. Grove.
Visitation:
Friday, June 19th - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the First Freewill Baptist Church.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery
Donations/Contributions:
Mtn. Grove Christian Academy - Wright County Children's Home - Mtn. Grove Alumni Park