Mark Hurst

David Mark Hurst, devoted husband, beloved father and friend to many, finished his race on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Surrounded by family, he passed away at the age of 59 after a valiant fight with cancer.

Mark Hurst was born in Oceanside, California on May 8, 1956. A member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, he attended Texas Tech University and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He spent the next 36 years teaching art as well as coaching track and football at Westlake High School, a job he loved dearly.

He married Judy Gonzales on June 27, 1992. She was his soul mate. His best friend. His rock. Even though Mark's life was filled with many achievements, he was most proud of his two daughters, Hillary, 21, and Abby, 17. Both attended Westlake High and Mark treasured the time spent with them as a father, a teacher and a coach. They filled his life with infinite joy.

Mark loved to create. As an artist, his illustrations were rich with emotion. A master on the potter's wheel, he could take an ordinary lump of clay and mold it into something special. He was just as skilled at molding young lives. How many people have said, "I wouldn't be the person I am today if it hadn't been for Coach Hurst"? Too many to count. The Mark Hurst ripple effect is never-ending.

Mark had a boundless heart and a magnetic soul. He was a prankster. A champion. A trusted mentor. He knew how to have fun. More importantly, he knew how to help others have fun. He believed in everyone, even if they didn't believe in themselves. He brought out the best in people.

Mark was a fighter and never backed away from a challenge. Cancer was no exception. He faced it bravely and without complaint.

He will be remembered as a passionate, caring man who dedicated his life to those around him. He won 15 district track championships. Coached the state champion football team in 1996. And is one of the winningest Track & Field coaches in the State of Texas. A Westlake icon, the track he coached on for so many years bears his name. It seemed only fitting that the City of Austin proclaimed July 25, 2014 as Coach Mark Hurst Day. We are all better for having known him.

Mark's spirit is carried on by his loving wife, Judy Hurst; daughters Hillary and Abigail Hurst; his mother, Joyce Hurst; and sister, Pamela Hoffmann. Other family survivors include his aunts Norma Ragsdale and Cheryl Essex; cousins Glen Kaiser and Karen Swan; his brother-in-law Alan Hoffmann; and niece Alison Charley. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Pete Hurst, and uncle Tommy Essex.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Mark's life at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Steven M. Youngdahl and Reverend Tom Grevlos will officiate. Instead of flowers, please honor Mark's legacy with a donation to Hospice Austin at www.hospiceaustin.org or a donation to the Hurst Family Educational Fund at www.youcaring.com/hillary-hurst-and-abby-hurst-442740

The Hurst family would like to thank the amazing medical professionals who helped them through their cancer journey: Dr. Carlos Brown, Dr. Timothy Dziuk, Dr. David Fleeger, Dr. Rubin de Celis, Roxanna Sparks, RN, OCN and everyone at Texas Oncology Midtown. They also want to thank Hospice Austin as they helped them peacefully end their journey, especially Mark's nurse Patty Almond and social worker, Molly Haskell and everyone at Christopher House. The medical teams have been their angels on Earth. Many thanks also to Team Hurst for holding the family close to your hearts – love to you from us. He is at peace…