Melvin “Tommy” Hursh

Melvin Thomas Hursh, who would only answer to Tommy, 96, was greeted with rejoicing and open arms by his Savior and God on August 21, 2023. Tommy was born on March 18, 1927, in New Lexington, Ohio to Jennie and Clark Hursh. He and his three brothers kept their parents and community (Ava and Rich Hill, Missouri) on their toes with pranks, fun, and general rowdiness. He left for the Air Force near the end of World War II, leaving home for the first time. He met Ouida Jane Church in Independence, Missouri. He drove her home to Stanton, Texas with the promise of travel expenses once they arrived. As of his passing, he was still waiting for that reimbursement from Grandad Church. While he did not receive the funds, he did fall in love with Ouida and the beauty of West Texas. He and Ouida married on January 8, 1950. During his time as a dry land farmer in Martin County, he not only sowed cotton seed, but a beautiful family, life-long, deep friendships, and a faith strong in the Lord and His mighty power.

Tommy was baptized in the Community of Christ Church on June 9, 1935, in Ava, Missouri. When Hospice was completing their intake interview, they asked about his spiritual beliefs. Tommy reaffirmed what his family and friends experienced every day that he believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior, who died on the cross so that we would live forever. It was this faith that provided the foundation for the life of service Tommy would demonstrate to all that knew him.

Words can’t express the love and pride his family had for this quiet, humble, and hysterically funny man. Our lives are fundamentally changed forever as a chair at our weekly Saturday luncheons will be vacant, we will no longer get the Stanton news based on his coffee stops, pictures with his tongue sticking out in a funny face are memorialized instead of live, and unbelievable actions on Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune will go undiscussed. But we also carry on a love for one another, a faith in God, the work ethic of a farmer, and a stubborn streak a mile wide.

Along with numerous family and friends, Tommy is survived by his children, Nancy and Milton Kirby of Midland, Texas, Julie and Mark Hursh of Alpine, Texas, and Melissa and Alan White of Midland Texas, special friend, Brenda Burnett, grandchildren, Julia and Eric Vickery (Midland), Ashlea (White) and Josh Kemper (Midland), Mandy and Mackie Hursh (Colorado City), Kelly and Matt Hursh (Longview, Texas), Whitney and Joey White (San Antonio), Jenny White (San Antonio), Abby Hursh (Alpine), and Clay Hursh (Alpine), great grandkids McCray, Owen, Piper, Leddie (Mackie and Mandy), Benton and Railey (Julia and Eric), August, Taylor, and Macen (Matt and Kelly), Bryson and Jackson (Joey and Whitney), two brothers, Floyd Hursh of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Sandra and Jim Hursh of Pell City, Alabama, along with many nieces, and nephews, and his faithful paw companion, Lady.

He was preceded in his journey to heaven by his wife, Ouida, his parents, Jennie and Clark, a great granddaughter, Zara Hope Kemper (Ashlea and Josh), a brother Leland Hursh, his first paw companion, Scooter, and many other friends and family we know have been waiting earnestly for his return home.

The family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 25, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following at Resthaven Memorial Park.

The family wishes to thank all for the outpouring of love, support and prayers, and the special care of Midland Memorial Hospital (ninth floor) and the Hospice of Midland staff that cared for the entire family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Midland, Inc at 911 W. Texas Ave, Midland, Texas 79701 or to his beloved Sacramento Mountain Retreat where he gave generously of time, talent, and treasure building, serving, and governing, at SMR, 7140 Sabre Trail, Amarillo, TX 79124.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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