Jonathan Irvin Hurst

Jonathan I. Hurst, affectionally known as “Jon,” passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at his home. He was 85 years old. He was proceeded in death by Ruth Ann Kerr Hurst (mother), Nathan “Johnny” I. Hurst (father). 

Jon was born in Dallas, TX. He was raised in Newton, TX, where he graduated from Newton High School. He began his undergrad studies at A&M University, and completed his studies as a biology major at the University of Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, TX. He married the love of his life, Sopharia Dainwood Hurst, on May 15, 1963.

Starting out as a young married couple, they moved into an old home, with dirt floors in the river bottom, near the Sabine River, in Newton, TX. He built their first home on the banks of the Sabine River, where they started their lives, family, and business together. Since he was a very young child, Jon always dreamed of opening a fish farm, studying wildlife, and being in and around nature. In 1963 he and his wife opened the Sabine Fish Hatchery, moved into their new home, and had their first-born child soon thereafter. Over the years he would recall that being the most precious moments in his life, starting out as a young adult, so ready to begin his adventure with the love of his life, his first son, and doing what he had dreamed of his entire life. 

As the Fish Hatchery grew, he became more involved with other entities, from the private sector to government entities, to share information about conservation in the bottomland ecosystems. He assisted scientists and biology students on field trips to the Sabine River region of East Texas in fisheries and wildlife conservation methods and practices. He hosted annual field trips for the ecology course students from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (currently the University of Louisiana) in Lafayette, LA. 

He was a keen observer of nature, identifying and studying the life cycle of numerous insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals occurring in the bottomlands, where he had established his home. He assisted scientist at the National Wetlands Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in understanding more about snapping turtles conservation in the bottomland ecosystems. He continued to build his legacy, as he encouraged others to learn about preserving our fish and wildlife. He was an independent contractor for Union Carbide, studying the effects of different chemicals. 

He lived a full life, as a loving husband, father, and friend. He leaves behind Sopharia Dainwood Hurst (wife), Jonathan “Andy” Hurst (son), James “Jim” Hurst (son), Tamara “Tammy” Hurst Medley (daughter), James Hurst (brother); grandchildren Lauren Hurst Reynolds, Mark Shoemaker, Aaron Shoemaker, and great grandchildren. 

Visitation will be Wednesday November 13, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home in Newton, Texas.

Funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm Thursday November 14, 2024 in the Chapel at Smith Funeral Home with Burial at Newton City Cemetery.