Dr. George Ellison Hurt Jr.

George Ellison Hurt, Jr., M.D. died peacefully on November 11, 2012, after a protracted illness. He was born on December 21, 1932, to Dr. George and Mildred Grimes Hurt. A lifelong resident of University Park, he graduated in 1950 from Highland Park High School.

George attended Southern Methodist University where he met his future wife, Ann Prideaux. He was President of the Freshman Class, served on the student council, and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Delta Theta.

After three years at S.M.U., he entered the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School where he was a member of Phi Beta Pi and elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. He graduated first in his class and received the Ho Din award, given by the Trustees of the Southwestern Medical Foundation to the graduating student deemed most outstanding by his peers and by the faculty of UT Health Science Center at Dallas.

George completed his internship at Denver General Hospital, and his General Surgery and Urology Residencies at Parkland Memorial Hospital, serving as Chief Resident in Urology his last year.

George joined the firm of Drs. Alexander, King, Fuqua and Ware, and enjoyed a thriving private medical practice for 41 years. He served as President of the National Society for Pediatric Urology and President of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association, and was a member of the Combined Examination Committee of the American Board of Urology and the American Urological Association. He was Associate Clinical Professor of Urology at U.T. Southwestern and was a member of the Medical Advisory Committees at Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was the Staff man of the year in 1976. George was Director of the Pediatric Urology Service at Children’s Medical Center and President of the Medical Staff in 1986. He was a member of the staff of Baylor University Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He was also a member of the Texas Association of Genito-Urinary Surgeons, the International Society of Urology, the Dallas County Medical Society, the Texas Urological Society and the Little Brothers/Doctors Journal Club. Internationally, he was highly regarded as a surgeon, educator, and innovator in the urological field.

George was a devoted physician, with deep understanding and wisdom, which enabled him to give special care all to all his patients, particularly children. He founded the Urology Clinic for spina bifida patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and served as Director of the clinic for 40 years. He received the Joan L. Venes Humanitarian Award presented by the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas for outstanding dedication and contribution to the welfare of people born with spina bifida. In his honor, the Association established a scholarship in his name.

George was awarded the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council’s Distinguished Health Service Award in 2001, honored as a Highland Park Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 , and was selected as an SMU Distinguished Alumnus in 1987. Friends of the University Park Public Library honored George and Ann with the Acorn Award in 2009. He was a member of the Dallas Country Club. He served on the Boards of Camp Sweeney for Diabetic Children and the Park Cities YMCA, and was the City Health Officer for University Park for 18 years. He also served as President of the Phi Delta Theta Alums. He particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of the members of the Texas Delta Investment Club, a group of Phi Delt brothers with whom he met for 50 years, and of the men of the Turtle Creek Breakfast Club.

Early on George picked up the nickname “Happy” which suited him perfectly. Even with all of his accomplishments, what George “Happy” Hurt cared most about was his family and friends. Happy remained close to friends he gathered from childhood on. With Ann, and often with his children, Happy skied, hunted, fished, biked, coached Y teams and traveled the world. However, he was always most content to be home in Texas.

Along with Ann, his beloved wife of 58 years, he is survived by his five children: Catherine and husband Bill Scheihing, Douglas Richard and wife Beth, Carolyn, George Ellison III and wife Laura, and Gregory Prideaux.

He is also survived by his deeply loved grandchildren: Charlie and his wife Claire Scheihing, Elizabeth Scheihing, John Scheihing, Elizabeth Ann Hurt, Clint Donald, George E. Hurt IV, and W. Henry Hurt. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Richard Prideaux and nieces and nephew, Cindy Wilson Wallisa, Sue Wilson McCallum, Wendy Prideaux Kumpf and Chris Prideaux, and their families.

Happy was preceded in death by his sister, Joy Hurt Wilson, and his grandson, Elijah Christian Noel Hurt.

Happy Hurt truly lived his life with the optimism, love, compassion, and energy that his name implies. In all his actions he gave one-hundred percent and could conceive of no less. Happy grew up in the East Dallas Christian Church, and his was the embodiment of a life well lived. He exemplified Christianity every day through actions rather than words. He is now with his Savior, having served as His good and faithful servant.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to all of his wonderful caregivers: Melanie Accord, Sophia Berryman, Dianna Becerra, Collette Campbell, Richard Cooper, and Wanda Osteen.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225. Following a private family burial, a celebration of George’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sparkman/Hillcrest Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations honoring George’s life may be made to:

George E. Hurt Jr. Scholarship Fund

Spina Bifida Association of North Texas

c/o Robin Lee, Director

705 W. Avenue B., Suite 204

Garland, Texas 75040

www.spinabifidant.org

University Park Public Library

4420 Worcola Street

Dallas, TX 75205

www.uptexas.org/library

Camp Sweeney

P.O. Box 918

Gainesville, TX 76241

www.campsweeney.org

Elijah’s Angel Fund

c/o Launchability

4350 Sigma Road, Suite 100

Farmers Branch, Texas 75244

www.launchability.org