Val Dean Hurt

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved father, Val Dean Hurt, on October 2, 2025, at the age of 90. Val was known for his kindness, generosity, wisdom, and unwavering love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Val was born Val Fry in Eminence, Missouri on December 2, 1934 to a loving family.  The father he knew, Emmett Hurt, married his mother, Iva Fry, and adopted Val at a young age.  He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18, and served in Germany during the Korean War.  After his discharge he returned to the Ozarks and met the love of his life, Crystal Gutscher.  They eloped with another couple and were married in Hernando, Mississippi on February 4, 1956.

In the late 1950’s they put everything they owned in their car and drove to Prineville, Oregon.  His mother and father had been in the Pacific Northwest for some time working in the timber industry and had settled there.  His mother wrote him letters to encourage him to come out to get a good job.  He started working at Pine Products where his father was working and began their adventure in this beautiful Central Oregon community.  He eventually became a truck driver and was hired by Les Schwab where he worked until he retired.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Crystal Hurt, his mother, his father, and his brother, Bob Fry.

Val is survived by his daughter Kim Bible, son James "Jay" Hurt, and seven cherished grandchildren: Zach Bible, Madison Wright, Weston Hurt, Matthew Davisson, Quintin Hurt, Kara Carson, and Kayla Hurt. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Sophia Bible, Bryson Hurt, Eli Davisson, Emmett Davisson, Elizabeth Davisson, Elliot Kinney, and Theodore Argetsinger.

The family would like to send a special thank you to everyone at Carriage Place Memory Care, Prineville and Bristol Hospice, Bend; for their loving care and support during one of the most difficult times in our lives.

A memorial service celebrating Val’s life will be held October 17, 2025, 10 am, at Prineville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s; team Caring Places Central Oregon at the following link, or you can drop off a check at Carriage Place in Prineville at 150 S.E. Williamson Drive.  

https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2025/OR-OregonampSWWashington?team_id=994229&pg=t eam&fr_id=18843

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