John Hurst

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for John Madison Ferdinand Hurst, 76, at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church on Monday, September 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in Opelousas. A parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, John also served as a parish council member and a Eucharistic minister. Interment will follow in Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born in New Roads, Louisiana, John spent his childhood working on the family farm and playing in False River. During elementary school in New Roads, he met his best friend and life partner, Nellie Langlois. After graduating from Poydras High School in 1951, John attended L.S.U. and graduated with a B.S. in December of 1955 and with an M.Ed. in 1966. In January of 1956, he began his long career in the St. Landry Public School System, establishing the first drivers education program in the parish and later teaching industrial arts at Opelousas High School at the campus on Market Street and then at the current location on Judson Walsh Drive. In 1982 John was appointed principal of O.H.S. After completing his 30-year career, he retired in 1986. A lifelong Tiger, John enjoyed returning to O.H.S. for visits, especially the Annual Christmas Party, and attending class reunions. In Opelousas and the surrounding area, he frequently met former students and enjoyed reminiscing with them.

Johns free time was spent with the people most important to him, his wife Nellie and their children and grandchildren. The family crisscrossed America on camping vacations during which he shared his love of the outdoors and passed that passion on to his children. Always the educator, these trips were carefully planned to include major American landmarks and institutions, from San Antonio to Yellowstone and from the Grand Canyon to Gettysburg. A favorite weekend destination was Chicot State Park where he taught his grandsons how to build a proper campfire. After his retirement, John and Nellie were able to indulge their love of travel and took several trips to Europe.

When he wasnt traveling, John enjoyed gardening, and he shared the abundance from his vegetable garden with family, friends, and neighbors. He also carefully tended flowers under the watchful eye of his wife. An animal-lover, John and Nellie spent hours watching and identifying birds in their large, wooded backyard, doting on family pets especially Suzie and Betty, and operating a catch-and-release program for squirrels which trespassed to feed on flowers, fruit, and birdseed.
P A skilled woodworker and handyman, John enjoyed assisting family, friends, and neighbors with projects. He spent long hours in his workshop creating projects for his children and grandchildren and visiting their homes to work on projects there. His children and grandchildren will treasure the items he made for them, from birdhouses

Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Sunday, September 6, 2009
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Church

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, September 7, 2009
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery
Sunset Highway
Opelousas, LA  70570