Smith "Smitty" Hurley, Jr.

Smith “Smitty” Hurley Jr. passed away early Sunday morning, September 8th, 2024 at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. Born in Lackey, KY, Smitty was the child of Smith Hurley Senior and Ruby (Dukes) Hurley. Smitty graduated from Defiance High School in 1971 and married Janet Slusser shortly after. In 1983, he was remarried to Judy Schackow. He worked in various jobs, mainly focused on plastic injection molding at Strydel, The Ohio Art Company, Mantaray Company, Transnav, and JCIM/Yanfeng. Smitty earned his Associate Business Degree from Northwest State in the Early 2000s.

From a young age, Smitty’s friends and family knew him as a prankster and goofball that could always make them laugh. His family fondly remembers catching pancakes he flung across the kitchen and weekends with the best gravy and biscuits. He loved fishing, camping, golfing, woodworking, good food, and all of his dogs over the years. He was known for taking the “scenic route” (that is, getting lost) on frequent family road trips – it was always an adventure when you got in the car with Smitty!

Smitty is survived by his wife, Judy Hurley; siblings, Herb (Martha) Hurley, Larry (Kelly) Hurley, Brian (Dana) Dukes, Bruce (Dianne) Dukes, Sandy Dukes, Helen (Kenny) Hall; children, Jason (Nikki) Hurley, Danielle Hurley and Abigail (Bob) Krueger; grandchildren, Grace (Gavin Gordon) Hurley, Matt (Sarah) Hurley, Dom Tijerina, Darian Tijerina, and Marisa Tijerina; great grandchildren, Eddie Gordon, Liam Sherman, Essence Gordon, Norm Hurley; and many family members on his wife’s side who loved him dearly. He also leaves behind his grandcat, Juniper (Lucifer) Barry Hurley and his dog, Willow Sage. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Ed Dukes; siblings, Sheila Phillips, Jim Hurley and Duane Dukes; parents-in-law, Betty and Butch Schackow; and brother-in-law, Bruce Schackow.

Please join us on Friday, September 13th for a celebration of Smitty’s life at the Continental Conservation Club from 3pm to 9pm at 20519 Rd E, Continental, OH 45831. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to help with expenses. You can donate in person or on the GoFundMe website: https://gofund.me/cb757a05. We hope to see you there! There is no need to dress up, since Smitty would have just wanted everyone to come as they are and celebrate his life.