Hurst, Leigh Gifford

Leigh Gifford Hurst, 59, of Blacksburg, Va., died suddenly Saturday, August 22, 2009, at his home. He was born in Virginia Beach, Va. on July 22, 1950, to the late Captain Thomas Charles III, U.S.N. and Nancy Gifford Owen Hurst and was also preceded in death by infant child, Baby Hahn Hurst.

Leigh graduated from the Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach and also attended the Paris American High School in Paris, France. He earned his B.S. Degree at Virginia Tech, where he played soccer and was on the wrestling team. Leigh also coached youth soccer for the past six years. He was an avid car collector and in the automobile business most of his life and in later years became a real estate investor and full time father and husband. He was a Hokie Benefactor and a member of the Ut Prosim Society.

He will always be loved and missed by everyone who met him for his love of life and appreciation of his many talents. He was a loving husband, father and son in-law. With his son, Marshall, he was active in sports and other youth activities and will be loved and missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Hahn Hurst, the love of his life; his beloved son, Marshall Hahn Hurst, of the home; sister and brother-in-law, Terry Hurst Haisten and Homer H. Haisten, of Virginia Beach, Va.; niece and nephew, Lauren Haisten Tabler, of Richmond, Va., and Michael H. Haisten, of Virginia Beach, Va.; cousins, Jane Owen Carter, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Parker Scott Owen, of Clemson, S.C.; father-in-law and mother in-law, T. Marshall and Peggy Hahn, of Blacksburg, Va.; sister-in-law and brother-inlaw, Betty Hahn and Doug Chancey, of Blacksburg, Va.; niece, Erin McKelvy, of Gill, Mass.; nephew, Shane McKelvy, of Asheville, N.C. He is also survived by his two beloved pets, Teddy and B.J.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Reggie Tuck officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va., 24063-0287. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.