James William Hurst, age 92,of Las Cruces, NM, passed away on October 11, 2024. Son of George William and Isabelle (Gordon) Hurst.  Survived by wife Annabelle (Schroedel), daughter Paula Hurst of Greer, SC, son Jonathan (Beth) Hurst of Jacksonville, IL, grandson Christian M. Ronne of Chicago, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Educated Ravenswood Grade School and Amundsen High School in Chicago; he was a graduate of Southern Illinois University ['56; '60] and Northern Illinois University ['72]. History teacher for thirty-five years: four at Hurst-Bush C.H.S., Hurst, IL; three at Joliet T.H.S., and twenty-eight at Joliet Junior College.

U.S. Navy veteran (Korean War), member of the American Legion, Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of Destroyer Veterans (Tin Can Sailors), Shipmate U.S. Navy Memorial, Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association, and past President USS Corry (DD 817) Association. Member of Theta XI national social fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa national honorary education fraternity.

He was the author of two books, "The Villista Prisoners of 1916 – 1917", published in 2000; and "Pancho Villa and Black Jack Pershing – The Punitive Expedition in Mexico", published in 2007.

Services will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 225 W Griggs Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005, at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 19th, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Las Cruces, NM.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com