Earmel "Earl" Hurd, 79 of Cabool, MO went home to be with the Lord on June 29th, 2010 at the Kabul Nursing Home following a long illness. Earl was born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the 7th child of 23 children of Edgar and Fannie (England) Hurd.

He enlisted in the Army in 1954 and served in Korea as a Staff Sargeant. Earl met JoBeth McCracken on a double date and they were married in 1955 at Houston, Mo. He worked at various jobs including Red Top Gas, Burdine Township, and installing heating and air conditioning.

Earl will best be remembered as someone who loved God, helping everyone he could. He was an avid coon hunter with his buddies Emery, Warren, Bill and Rudy. His greatest legacy will be the lives he has touched with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the countless souls he brought into the kingdom of God. He was selfless and always put others needs before his own. Earl and JoBeth started 3 churches and 2 youth centers. They have also ministered at county jails for many years.

Beloved husband and friend of JoBeth (McCracken) for 55 years; dearest father of Debbie Ebert and husband Lloyd, Marian Hurd, and Lori Blaker and husband Reid; loving grandfather of Sarah, Jason, Tamar, Matthew, Cassandra, Tabitha, Zach, Tim and great grandfather to Emma, Benjamin, Christian, Ashlyn, Summer, Austin, Jordon, Aiden, Kyra, Jesse, Alivia and Johnathan. Earl had numerous spiritual children and grandchildren, and he loved them as his own. He is also survived by brothers, Albert Hurd and wife Lois of Warsaw, Ind, Charles Hurd and wife Della, of Forrest City, Ark, Lonnie Hurd and wife Hattie, Arthur Hurd, and Robert Hurd and wife Sue, all of Prestonsburg, Ky. Also, sisters Edna and husband Amos Poe, Bonnie and husband Ted Harman of Warsaw, Ind. and Joyce (Marcie) Hurd of Cabool, Mo.

We wish to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support, not just during his illness but for his entire time on this earth.