Robert Joseph Hurt, age 80, passed away on October 20, 2025, in Smithfield. Born and raised in Wythe County, VA, he was the son of the late Clarence Graham Hurt and Margaret Felty Hurt of Wytheville. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and worked for Newport News Shipbuilding in various subsidiaries and assignments in Newport News and the Northeast. He married Caroline Darden of Isle of Wight County at Historic St. Luke’s in 1972 and became a long-term resident of Smithfield, VA. Bob was foremost a good man, wonderful husband, and a devoted father. He was actively involved in his sons’ youth activities serving as a baseball coach, swimming volunteer, and Boy Scouts of America Scout Master. Bob’s favorite activities included antique restoration and fishing. Outside of his family, fishing for trout was his greatest pleasure. Whether he was in a small creek in Southwest Virginia, the rivers of Yellowstone, or fishing in the shadows of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, a rod in hand gave him immense joy. Bob is survived by his wife, Caroline Darden Hurt, and their sons, John Darden Hurt of Rocky River Ohio and his wife Rebecca, son Robert Shaffer Hurt of Nokesville, VA and his wife Amanda; grandsons John Darden Hurt II and Thomas Bryant Hurt of Rocky River and Robert Griffin Hurt of Nokesville; his sister Lynda Hurt Dossett of Morehead City, NC; brother-in-law Robert Seward Darden and his wife Vickie of Beaver Creek, Ohio and sister-in-law Delores Darden of Smithfield along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Thomas Lewis Darden of Smithfield and Raymond S. Dossett of Morehead City. Bob was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Smithfield. A graveside service will be held in the Ancient Cemetery at Historic St. Luke’s Memorial Park at 11:00am on October 23, 2025, with the Reverend Dan Kim officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the wildlife conservation organization of your choice. Some of Bob’s favorites are the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com
Ancient Cemetery at Historic St. Luke’s Memorial Park
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