DL Capt. John James Hurley

~ IN MEMORY ~

WWII veteran, DL Capt. John James ‘Jay’ Hurley

January 18, 1916 ~ October 26, 2012

 

Notification of the passing of DL pilot Captain John James Hurley, age 96.  Captain Hurley hired on with Delta 03-28-1946 and was based Miami at the time of his retirement.

 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.mclanefuneralservices.com/ 

Services were held today Sunday, October 28, 2012.

 

Survived by his wife Betty personal condolences may be sent to the family at  

3701 Bermuda Run Drive ,  Valdosta  GA 31605-1059  ...  (229) 232-5220

 

John James (J.J.) Hurley

Valdosta Daily Times (GA) - Saturday, October 27, 2012

 

  — John James (J.J.) Hurley, 96, of Valdosta and formerly of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida died suddenly at his home on Friday, October 26, 2012. He was born in Washington D.C. on January 18, 1916 to the late John and Winifred Hurley. J.J was an aviation pioneer. He was a veteran of WWII and served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and was the last surviving member of the 41B Squadron. Through his leadership and the collective training of other pilots, he was instrumental in the success and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen having been the lead pilot trainer for the historic group. He also trained the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during this time. He was discharged as a Lt. Colonel when the war ended and went to work as a pilot with Delta Airlines. He flew for Delta for thirty years until he retired. He was the airline's oldest living original captains. Following his tenure with Delta he became the director for Mackey Airlines. He loved golfing, fishing and boating. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Betty Hurley of Valdosta; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Milan Curcija of Hahira, Sharon Yarnall of Cumming, Georgia, Colleen and Roger Monroe of Winter Springs, Florida, Elizabeth and Dave Hargrove of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Maylin Hurley of Lighthouse Point, Florida, Patrick and Stacey Hurley of Naples, Florida; step-daughter and her husband, Karen and Mark Mosley of Valdosta; step-son and his wife, Glen and Sandra Williams of Cullman, Alabama; step-daughter and her husband, Kelly and Filemon Lopez of Weston, Florida; 18 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.

 

Services for John Hurley will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at the McLane Riverview Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Bob Willis and Deacon David Lassiter officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Mausoleum chapel. The burial will follow upon completion of all services in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com  — Carson McLane Funeral Home.