Gene Hurst, founder of Hurst Boiler & Welding Company, dies at 79
On Wednesday, July 22, 2015, Clifton Eugene “Gene” Hurst, founder of the Hurst Boiler & Welding Company in Coolidge, GA, passed away. An entrepreneur, skilled engineer, and devoted family man, Mr. Hurst will be remembered by all for his kindness, dedication, vision, and inexhaustible will. Not only did he grow Hurst Boiler into one of the world’s leading boiler companies, but company officials say he helped to transform the boiler industry through innovation.
"We lost one of the greatest men to ever live, a man adored by many, a man of true character, a man that meant so much to so many...my hero, best friend, and my grandfather," said Chad Fletcher, Mr. Hurst's grandson and Hurst Boiler’s director of aftermarket parts and sales.
Mr. Hurst started his family business in 1967 with his wife Edna in a shop behind their home in Thomasville, GA. He moved the business to its present location in Coolidge in 1970 where the company manufactures a full line of solid waste, wood, gas, coal, and oil fired steam and hot water boilers and related equipment in a 314,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility on 17 acres. Forty-eight years later, the business Mr. Hurst began remains in the family, currently under the direction of the Hurst children: Tommy, Hayward, Teri, and Jeff. It is the largest employer in the area, maintaining more than 350 employees at full production capacity.
Mr. Hurst attributed his success to his faith, his family's support, and the dedication of the Hurst Boiler team and customers.
“Anyone who knew him, in whatever capacity, would certainly agree he was a kind, humble, and inspiring individual who cared deeply for his family and the people who worked for him,” said Jeff Hurst, Mr. Hurst's youngest son and Hurst Boiler’s director of marketing.
In honor of the memory of Gene Hurst (www.hurstboiler.com/gene-hurst), the family requests a donation be made in lieu of flowers to the Lives Without Limits organization: www.liveswithoutlimitsga.org.
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