John W. "Jack" Hurd

John W. 'Jack' Hurd, 83, of Kent, died peacefully Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born October 5, 1934 in Warren, to Herbert E. and Eloise (Cain) Hurd. He was a veteran of the Army serving in Korea. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kent for 70 years and served as the Chairperson of the Music Committee for many years. Jack graduated from Kent State High School in 1952, then attended Kent State University, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon. He received his BS in Education and his MFA in Music and in MEd in Education Administration. He began his career as a music teacher and choir director at Davey Junior High School in 1962 where he later became the Assistant Principal. He then became the Assistant Principal at Theodore Roosevelt High School where he ended his career as Principal. Jack taught music education at the Kent State University branches for many years and was the founder of the Kent State University Men's Chorus. He was the Choir Director for 25 years at the Presbyterian Church of Kent.

Jack played the piano in several local bands including TGIF, The Swing Machine and Bill Smith's Music Men. He was a member of the Kent Rotary Club and was the featured musical performer at each meeting. Jack was an avid and very good golfer, an excellent bridge player, a Roseville Pottery collector and a daily worker of crossword puzzles. He was a hardcore and often overzealous follower of the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, Indians and The Ohio State University Buckeyes. Music was his passion, arranging music and performing throughout Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Jack studied Jazz Piano with Pat Pace for 10 years.

Jack loved to spend time with his family and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He cherished the annual summer family vacation to Topsail Island, NC and spending time with his wife Alice in Marathon, FL.

He is survived by his wife, Alice (Hausch) Hurd, whom he married in 1959; children, Sally (Bob) Dean of Kent and Julie (Eric) Schmidt all of Kent and John Hurd Jr. of Stow; grandchildren, Jocelyn (Justin Schaefer) Schmidt, Luke Schmidt, Abby Dean, Ryan Dean, Kyle Schmidt and Dylan Schmidt; siblings, Herb (Lorna) Hurd of Tallmadge, Nancy (Chuck) Doremus of Grand River, Linda ( Larry) Harvey of Ft. Myers, Russell (Pat) Hurd of Copley; sister-in-law, Chari Hurd of Akron; brother-in-law, Jack (Deane) Hausch of Akron; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert E. Hurd in 1972; mother, Eloise Hurd in 1996; and brother, Kenneth Hurd in 2016.

Jack's family now knows that he has access to limitless golf courses, beautiful ocean views and well-tuned pianos.

Calling hours will be held 4-7 PM Thursday, March 22nd at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, March 23 at United Methodist Church of Kent with Rev. Dr. David Palmer and Rev. Douglas Denton officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Kent City Schools Music Programs, 321 N. DePeyster Street, Kent, OH 44240 or United Methodist Church of Kent, Music Programs, 1435 E. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.