Stephen Jay Hurst passed away at home Nov. 03, 2025; he was 79. Steve was born on April 21, 1946 in Emporia, Kansas. He was the youngest of 4 children born to William Floyd Hurst Jr. and Alma Lydia (Renchler) Hurst. One sister and two brothers: Gwendalyn Hurst, Francis Hurst, Hobert Hurst. The family moved to Falls City, Oregon in 1951 and purchased a small farm, where the children went to school and grew up. They learned to garden, hunt and fish together.
Stephen married Loranda Redding in 1971 (divorced in 1994), he went to college, worked in Forestry and then BLM as a cartographer, while raising two daughters: Angela (Hurst) Firey (of TN) and Viriginia Hurst (of AL). He taught them to hunt and fish. Steve has 5 grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.
In 1995 Steve married Laura (Harper) Hurst, and after retiring, they moved to Rockaway Beach in 1999, where he helped Laura with her 3 sons: Des DesJardins (of OR) Shaun DesJardins (of OR), and Dennis Russell (of OR), who predeceased Steve by just a few weeks.
Stephen was a talented cartographer and after retiring, he went on to make many Hunting Unit Maps for Big Sky Maps.
He also loved fishing and he liked to fish the lakes, rivers and streams near home. He was a born ocean fisherman. Although handicapped since the age of nine, if he wasn’t working, he would be found FISHING. Steve loved to cook an amazing meal now and then. Usually, he would make a delicious chili or his famous potato salad or an amazing fish dinner.
Stephen was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be missed, so very much.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Stephen after the holidays, in the springtime.