Virgil Hurst passed away on Saturday, October 13, at the age of 86, due to
complications resulting from a fall in his yard.
He served 21 years in the United States Air Force, and retired as a Senior
Master Sergeant. He had five tours of duty to Southeast Asia, prior to and
during the Vietnam War. His first tour was in 1954 as an Adviser to the
French Air Force, in what was then known as French or First Indochina War.
While in the Service, he served in several capacities including Flight
Engineer, Crew Chief, NCOIC of Flightline Operations and engaged in the
recovery of downed aircraft behind enemy lines. After he received news of
another pending deployment into Vietnam, he decided he needed to spend more
time with his family and retired from the Air Force in 1972.
Once back in the states, he became the Safety and Security Director of
Refrigerated Transport Corporation, which was the largest perishable
transportation company in the country. While that may have been his “day
job”… he desperately wanted to get back to his farming roots. He moved near
to his brother in Sugar Hill, Georgia where he actively farmed and raised
cattle for several years.
He eventually left farming and RTC to engage in a successful career in the
development, construction, operation and marketing of mini-warehouse
storage facilities in the metro Atlanta area. During that period, he
developed a close relationship with Ryder Truck Rental and integrated truck
rentals into his storage facilities, Hurst Truck and Box, in Norcross, GA.
Due to his military attention to detail, concern for customer service and
proactive marketing, he received the award as National Dealer of the Year.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty “Joyce” Denney-Hurst; his
brother, James “Leroy” Hurst; his son David Bodie Hurst, 7 grandchildren,
10 great-grandchildren.
The Family received friends Friday, October 19, 2018 at the funeral home. A Funeral Service was held Friday, October 19, 2018 from the Chapel of Carter Funeral home with Rev. Duke Forster officiating. Interment was in Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia with full military honors.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Virgil Lee Hurst Jr., please visit our flower store.
complications resulting from a fall in his yard.
He served 21 years in the United States Air Force, and retired as a Senior
Master Sergeant. He had five tours of duty to Southeast Asia, prior to and
during the Vietnam War. His first tour was in 1954 as an Adviser to the
French Air Force, in what was then known as French or First Indochina War.
While in the Service, he served in several capacities including Flight
Engineer, Crew Chief, NCOIC of Flightline Operations and engaged in the
recovery of downed aircraft behind enemy lines. After he received news of
another pending deployment into Vietnam, he decided he needed to spend more
time with his family and retired from the Air Force in 1972.
Once back in the states, he became the Safety and Security Director of
Refrigerated Transport Corporation, which was the largest perishable
transportation company in the country. While that may have been his “day
job”… he desperately wanted to get back to his farming roots. He moved near
to his brother in Sugar Hill, Georgia where he actively farmed and raised
cattle for several years.
He eventually left farming and RTC to engage in a successful career in the
development, construction, operation and marketing of mini-warehouse
storage facilities in the metro Atlanta area. During that period, he
developed a close relationship with Ryder Truck Rental and integrated truck
rentals into his storage facilities, Hurst Truck and Box, in Norcross, GA.
Due to his military attention to detail, concern for customer service and
proactive marketing, he received the award as National Dealer of the Year.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty “Joyce” Denney-Hurst; his
brother, James “Leroy” Hurst; his son David Bodie Hurst, 7 grandchildren,
10 great-grandchildren.
The Family received friends Friday, October 19, 2018 at the funeral home. A Funeral Service was held Friday, October 19, 2018 from the Chapel of Carter Funeral home with Rev. Duke Forster officiating. Interment was in Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia with full military honors.
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