Hurford, Phelps G., March 23, 2024, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Dear son of the late Mary Rose (nee Miltenberger) and Dr. Phelps G. Hurford; Beloved husband of Janet "LeAnn" Hurford (nee Neidhardt), Loving father of David (Sondra), Daniel (Monica), Dennis (Trish), and Douglas (Pamela); grandfather of Jeremy, Elizabeth (Ty), Thomas, Joshua (Meghan), and Megan (Alex), Sydney, Ian, Ainsley, Spencer, Kiley, Beachie, and Madison; great-grandfather to Carter, Elise, and Whitney Rose; Dear brother to the late Grant E. (Charmaine) Hurford and the late Alice (Bob) Lucas. Our dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Mr. Hurford graduated from St. Louis University with a master's degree in Electrical Engineering and pursued a thirty year career at McDonnell Douglas in advanced programming. He also taught graduate-level electrical engineering at the St. Louis University School of Engineering. He was a brilliant mathematician and engineer, and strongly believed that "if you can read, you can learn about anything." He could practically do anything, rebuilding automobile engines, wiring and plumbing houses, building additions, roofing houses, and cultivating zoysia grass, among many other things. The first air conditioner in any of the neighborhood's cars was one that he installed in the early 1960s. He had a love of airplanes and flying his plane only equaled his joy of driving his 1966 red Mustang.

Upon retiring, Phelps and his wife LeAnn enjoyed traveling, walking daily, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed reading and completing daily crossword puzzles. He had a strong desire to continue helping the next generations understand science and was an adult volunteer at the St. Louis Science Center helping to ignite young scientists' curiosity and interest in physics and chemistry through the various programs that he presented. He was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) helping to guide and advocate for children and adolescents during times that were not likely their best. He and LeAnn also volunteered at the Fox Theater as ushers interacting with patrons as well as enjoying the many shows.

Mr. Hurford's passions were his friendship and love for his wife and raising four sons. He encouraged each son to pursue their personal and professional goals, and for them to be the best at what they pursued. He was a very proud husband and father and was involved in his sons' lives. When the Boy Scout troop did not have an adult leader, he was the scoutmaster. He was proud of his four sons achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. The Eagle Scout Ceremonies that he wrote and developed in the 1970s were not only the best but also the first multimedia presentations. When no one was able to be the soccer coach, he learned the rules so he could to be that coach. His coaching was the first in the area to incorporate one-touch practices and his teams had winning records. He was a soccer and baseball official who knew every rule for both sports. When he called balls and strikes, he was the quintessential home-plate umpire. He never did anything less than his best.

He passed on his wisdom to his family. He was able to provide insight when asked and was non-judgmental regarding how those suggestions were used. He was the personification of continuous self-improvement.

Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church, 230 Santa Maria Dr., Chesterfield, on Fri April 5th at 10 a.m. Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Thurs. April 4th at Ortmann-Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to CARRD, Inc. the Center for Assessment of Remediation of Reading Difficulties, at CARRDINC.org.