Alan Ray Hurd was born Dec. 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kan., to Wallace Hurd and Mary Lou Hurd Comegys. Growing up he spent as much time at his grandparents’ farm as his parents would let him, helping with the harvest and taking care of the animals. His love for the farm never ceased. Al was also active in Boy Scouts for a number of years. He diligently worked for and attained the Order of the Arrow, which is the second highest achievement in the Boy Scouts, before the troop disbanded.

The time spent working alongside his grandfather and his uncle at the farm, along with the years serving in the Boy Scouts, strongly shaped Alan’s work ethic, integrity and character.

At age 18, Al took his GED and joined the U.S. Navy. He attended A.M.E. Training, his chosen field and embarked on his first cruise which took him to Vietnam. After the war, Al was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor where he met Margaret Mehsling and her two children David May and Heather Mehsling. Alan and Margaret married on Oct. 25, 1975. In 1981, Alan adopted Heather.

Al spent the majority of his Navy career at NAS Whidbey and retired in 1992 at the rank of petty officer first class, after 20 years of service. He worked for NAS Whidbey MWR at the base bowling alley and delivered papers until he was hired by Walmart in 1998 where he worked as the night manager until the time of his death. He is fondly remembered there as “Grumpy.”

Al had numerous hobbies and interests, including building and flying model airplanes, gold panning, HAM radio, kite flying and NASCAR. His favorite driver for years has been Rusty Wallace, driver of car 2.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his daughter and son-in-law Heather and Marty Aguilar of Colville, and their four children; his mother and stepfather, Marylou and C.P. Comegys of Haysville, Kan.; his sister and her husband Michaelene and Gary Fox of Wichita, Kan.; brother Dean Hurd of Wichita; his 10 “adopted” grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his closest friends, Tessie Whitmore, and Greg and Yvonne Richards and Shawn Durbin. He was preceded in death by his son David M. May Jr., his father Wallace G. Hurd, and his brother Richard Hurd.

A memorial service for Al was held at Burley Funeral Chapel on May 4. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.