APRIL 15, 1937 – JULY 13, 2024
Ralph L. Hurd Sr., age 87 of Greenville passed away at 11:34 am Saturday, July 13, 2024, at EverHeart Hospice Care Center in Greenville.
Ralph was born April 15, 1937, in Darke County to the late Theophilus Myles & Gladys Ophelia (Clemens) Hurd. Ralph was also preceded in death by his brothers, Richard, Donald, Dean, David and Frank Hurd; and sister, Elizabeth Olinger.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann E. (Maddox) Hurd whom he married January 21, 1961; daughter, Gwen Hurd of Greenville; son & daughter-in-law, Ralph & Denise Hurd Jr. of Greenville; grandchildren, Leslie (Hurd) & Derrick Hole, Christopher Smith & Brittany Coffman and Jarrett & Taylor Hurd; great granddaughter, Aria Smith; sisters & brother-in-law, Edith Perkins of Minnesota and Gloria & Terry Buckingham of Greenville; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Ralph was a 1954 graduate of Westmont High School in Hollansburg. After graduation Ralph served in the U.S. Army with Charlie Company as a Specialist 4. He was assigned to the 1st Battle Group, 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Virginia, a specially selected unit which serves as the President’s personal honor guard. Ralph served in the Honor Guard for JFK’s Inauguration. After serving in the military, Ralph went to work at Westinghouse. He then went to work at and retired from McClain’s as a foreman, then went to work and retired from Fram Corporation in the maintenance department. Ralph was part owner of Hurd’s Towing in Greenville. In 1954 Ralph raced in Eldora Speedways first race, he forged his parent’s signature to race because he was underage. Ralph drove a push truck at Eldora Speedway since 1990 being the first of three generations of push truck drivers in his family. He served as Frams Racing Ambassador promoting Frams oil filters. Ralph belonged to the Palestine Longtown Hunters Club and raised and released pheasants every fall for the club.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, July 22, 2024, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Mike Unger officiating. Burial will follow in Clemens Cemetery in Darke County with full military honors conducted by the Greenville Veteran’s Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm and Monday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Fond memories and expression of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Hurd family.