Elvin Hurley

Life Reflection

Elvin Hurley was born to the late Otto T. Hurley and Cora “Shug” Hart (deceased), on January 4, 1940. He transitioned on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM while in the comfort of his home after a brief stay at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Elvin married the love of his life, Mary (Small) Hurley on December 30, 2020. They had been together for eight years, building a foundation of respect, trust, and commitment. Mary’s beloved husband was truly loved, and she was loved by him. They are/were a beautiful couple with an aligned set of core values: faith, family, and friends. This enabled them to navigate the challenges of life with compassion, emotional support to one another and yet space for individual independence and growth. Also, Elvin and Mary were a stylish couple, albeit casual wear or formal attire. Dressed to the nines with fur coats and hats that matched. Elvin was known for wearing his iconic Fedora Pinch brim hats and U.S. Navy Pride caps, e-Cool ready.

Elvin received his elementary and secondary education from Roosevelt Kindergarten & Roosevelt Junior High in St. Louis, MO before graduating from Roosevelt High School in Gary, IN in 1958. After graduation, Elvin worked at various odd jobs, to include Inland Steel Mill in Gary, IN and being hired as an “Arm Picker” of potatoes in a family business. This explains his love of potatoes, albeit French fries, au Gratin, or baked. Elvin also attended Chatman University in Long Beach, CA, and received an Associate of Art’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Mathematics.

Elvin served in the United States Army Reserves for two years then joined the United States Navy as a combat engineer, Navy boat captain, supervisor, and trainer before ultimately retiring after 25 years. He has been around the world, and across the Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, and Pacific Oceans. His travels included, but was not limited to, Panama, Brazil, South Africa, Madagascar, Kenya, Seashell Island, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Australia, Hawaii, the Philippines, and South Korea. He was also deployed to Vietnam for 13 months. When asked what his favorite places were, he stated Japan, Italy, Denmark, and Kenya.

Elvin has always had a very cheerful and friendly quality with a smile that was infectious. He has a genuine appreciation for family and friends. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church. He would often attend church with Mary at First Missionary Baptist Church of Kinloch in Blackjack, MO. Elvin is also a sports enthusiast, and his favorite teams were the Chicago Bears/Bulls and the San Francisco 49ers.

Elvin leaves to mourn his wife, Mary Hurley; daughters and sons, Krista Hurley, Lisa Hurley, Sean Smith, Robert Hurley, Karen (Tony) Neal, Jamralynn Hurley, Tumeaka (Curtis) Spence, Tammi (Jerry) Griffin, and Troy A. Small. His sisters, Doris J. McCarter-Patterson and Karen S. Williams preceded him in death. Elvin’s nieces/nephews are as follows: DiAna McCarter, Raymond J. (Faith) McCarter, Sr. (Elvin’s mini-me), Richard J. McCarter (Deceased), Deborah Hayes, Samuel “Tony” McCarter, Cynthia Davis, Angela (Darryl) Patterson, & Lynette Reynolds. His six sisters-in-law, Ida Jean Thompson, Shirley Washington, Gloria Stewart, Janice Reed, Margaret Mann, and Crystal Small; one brother-in-law, Charles Small.

He will truly be missed by their loveable furry family member, Angel (a Shih Tzu Yorkie mix) and his grandchildren, great -grandchildren, great nephews/nieces and a host of other family relatives and friends.