Gerald Hurlbert

CWO4 Retired Gerald David Hurlbert passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at his home in Biloxi, surrounded by his family. He was born in Handsboro, MS to Lee and Geraldine (Richard) Hurlbert. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and the day after high school graduation was on his way to Camp Shelby, MS for basic training. He served his country honorably for 41 years. A World War II veteran, he served in the 3rd Army, 573rd AAA Battalion, taking part in the Rhineland Campaign and the Central European Campaign. He came in contact with General George Patton and was only a block away in Mannheim, Germany when Gen. Patton was severely injured in a jeep accident. He also served with the 375th Transportation Unit of the Army Reserve in Gulfport, MS and the 379th Engineer Detachment in Mobile, AL. Mr. Hurlbert retired from the Veterans Administration as Procurement Officer.
Gerald was a self-taught musician and was playing in a band in his teen years. He played with the Gulf Coast Ramblers and The Rhythmaires country bands. He learned to play the bass guitar and organized his own jazz band, The Jazz Traditions, and played for many civic and local Gulf Coast events. He was a co-founder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Jazz Society and was privileged to play several times at the World's Fair in New Orleans, LA. He was a lifetime member of the VFW club, member of the Masons, and also the Odd Fellows organization, and for many years a member of several carnival groups. He was also an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He loved his church, Handsboro United Methodist Church where he remained active and had been a member since an early age.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Geraldine (Richards) Hurlbert; brother, Jesse; sister, Iva Lea Rodgers; and son, David F. Hurlbert. He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Welford) Hurlbert; daughter, Stacie Hurlbert Fayard of Gulfport; granddaughter, Karly Fayard of Gulfport; grandsons: Matthias (Miriam) Hurlbert of Auerbach, Germany, and David F. Hurlbert, II of Keller, TX; great-grandson, Levi Hurlbert of Auerbach, Germany; stepson, Pat (Melann) Machado of Biloxi, MS; and daughter-in-law, Donna Deese Hurlbert of Roswell, GA.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL Home, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531 where friends are invited to visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service.  Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, 8910 Carl Leggett Road, Gulfport.
The Hurlbert family would like to thank the Canon Hospice Group for their care and a special thanks to Nurse Rebecca.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Handsboro United Methodist Church, 2333 Demaret Drive, Gulfport, MS 39507.
Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.