Donald Eugene Hurley

Donald Hurley, 64, of Wharton, went home to heaven on Friday, October 5, 2018 following a brief illness at a Sugar Land hospital.   Don passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and prayers. He was born on August 5, 1954 in Tribune, Kansas to the late Everett and Violet Hurley. Due to the early passing of both his parents, Don was raised by his cousins, Leonard and Jeanette Isbell in Joplin, Missouri.  He graduated from Parkland High School in Joplin and went on to serve our country honorably in the United States Navy Reserve. He married Shirley Joseph, the love of his life, on August 8, 1975 in Corpus Christi where he was stationed.  It was during this time that Don surrendered to the call of ministry.  Don then attended Delmar Jr College in Corpus Christi; East Texas Baptist in Marshall Texas before completing his Master's in Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to follow the call of the Lord. Don began his ministry serving 2 years as a bivocational pastor at a small country church in Waring, Texas. He then went on to serve 5 years as the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. In 1993 Don was called to minister at College Heights Baptist Church in Wharton, Texas.  Don just celebrated his 25th anniversary as the pastor of College Heights Baptist Church in August of this year. He loved his church family as dearly as his own family.  Beginning with his oldest son and ending with his only grandson Don baptized many people during his long ministry.  He was a true servant of the Lord and ministered not only to the spiritual needs of his congregation but the physical needs of his congregation and community. Don was never one to turn away someone in need, helping however he could. Don served on the Colorado Baptist Association board as Treasurer. He was also a past moderator and served on many committees. In addition to his parents, and cousins that raised him, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Jackson Hurley. Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shirley Hurley of Wharton; sons, Will Everett Hurley and wife, Gabriela; Matt Eric Hurley and wife, Lyndsie, all of Wharton; sister, Lynn Hurley, of Glendale, Arizona; brother, Earl Hurley of Trinidad, Colorado; and grandchildren, Amanda Schmidt, Selena Schmidt, Emma Hurley, Eli Hurley, and Ella Hurley.   Visitation will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 5-8 pm at Wharton Funeral Home with a celebration of life memorial service set for Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 11 o’clock am at the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with Rev. Barry Barnett officiating. Cremation will follow.   Funeral Services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.  Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com