Jack Milton Hurt, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, lived a full and giving life before passing away on March 7, 2013, at the age of 82.
Jack was born on May 25, 1930, in Georgetown, Texas, to Rucker and Cleora “Bessie” Hurt and was one of seven children. Jack grew up in the Andice and Berry’s Creek communities. As a young man, Jack worked at Lockhart’s Creamery in Austin where he met the love of his life, Ruby Lee Pond. On November 28, 1950, Ruby and Jack were married. Jack joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1951, and he was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, and later in Germany. He moved to active reserve in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1956 with a rank of sergeant.
After returning home, Jack went to work for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) where he held various positions ranging from a lineman to supervisor of the steel fabrication department, which was responsible for the construction of many electrical towers that were erected across the state of Texas. Jack and Ruby resided in south Austin for many years and raised two daughters. Jack and Ruby eventually moved to Bee Cave in 1977 where they lived for over 35 years and were well-known pillars of the Bee Cave community. They would be one of several families to file a petition for Bee Cave to incorporate in 1987 and Jack was elected to be one of the first commissioners of the Village of Bee Cave, receiving the most votes of all candidates, including the Mayor. Jack retired from the LCRA after 36 years of service and in 1987 he and Ruby opened a small successful grocery store and gas station on Highway 71 in Bee Cave called Hill Country Food Mart, which they owned and operated until 2011.
As members of the newly formed Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce, Jack and Ruby won Business of the Year for their support and donations to the community, school district and other non-profit community organizations. Jack was a longtime member of the Onion Creek Masonic Lodge #220. He and Ruby also became involved in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #4443 in Bee Cave. Jack served as the post commander with Ruby at his side, promoting events that would eventually raise enough money to pay off the post’s mortgage. Together, Jack and Ruby were devoted to their family, friends, and community, and they were always quick to help others in tough times. Jack and Ruby’s favorite pastimes included taking their grandchildren to Six Flags and the Texas Gulf Coast.
Jack also enjoyed hunting, pitching washers, watching old western movies and University of Texas football games, and entertaining family and friends outdoors with swimming parties and bar-b-ques. Jack and Ruby took frequent trips to Las Vegas where they were familiar and popular faces at the Fremont Hotel and Casino, and they treated each grandchild to a special trip to Vegas upon turning 21. Jack’s favorite number was 7 and he always had a reputation for his luck in general, whether that meant shooting the biggest buck at the deer lease or hitting one slot machine jackpot after another.
Jack had an easy going and optimistic outlook on life no matter the circumstances. He loved his family above all else and always looked forward to spending time with his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nobody gave sound advice quite like Paw Paw.
Jack leaves behind many loving family members and friends. He will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Jackie Troutt of Manchaca; and Brenda Skaggs and husband, Tim, of Bee Cave; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruby Lee, his parents, and his six brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis in Lakeway on Tuesday, March 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and a funeral service will take place there on Wednesday March 13, at 10:00 a.m. There will be a private burial at White Rock Cemetery in Bee Cave following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be mailed to the Bee Cave Arts Foundation in memory of Jack Hurt at 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave, Texas 78738.