Dr. D. Kent Hurn, age 79, passed away on March 27, 2022 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsonism. Kent was born in Kingman, Kansas on July 4, 1942.
Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence J. Hurn and Jean Wilson Spurrier, and his step-dad, Alvin Spurrier. He was married to Janice Spencer from 1965 to 1996. She survives.
In July of 1999 Kent married Donna Dee Hilmes.
Surviving are his wife Donna Hilmes-Hurn; sister Jarilyn Rowan; half brothers Travis Hurn (Sherri) and Craig Hurn; half sister Cozette Riffel (Troy); two children, Jeff Hurn (Michelle) and Kim Hurn-McKinley; five step children, Denise Hilmes (Jim Haug), Michelle Delka (Brad), Cheryl Beier, Doug Hilmes, and Lisa Bryan (Rusty); two nephews, Brian and Bret Rowan. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren; Brandon Hurn, Zack McKinley, Hailey McKinley, Morgan Hurn, Christopher Haug (Megan), Bethany Akin (Lucas), Jordan Hilmes (Kayla), Derek Skinner (Megan), Kyle Skinner, Carlie Miller, Matthew Bryan, Andrew Delka, Melissa Bryan, Grant Delka, Jackson Hilmes (Kaitlyn), Wyatt Hilmes Haug, and four great grandchildren.
Kent graduated from Cheney High School in 1960, from Emporia State University (BSE) in 1965, Wichita State University (MA) in 1975 and Kansas University (EdD) in 1977.
He held various positions as a mathematics teacher and coach at Hanover High School, Kingman High School and Seaman High School.
In 1978, Kent became Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager, Supervisor of Physical and Maintenance and Director of Transportation for Seaman Unified School District in Topeka, Kansas.
Kent was chosen for Superintendent of Seaman Schools in July of 1988 and retired in 2002. In June 2003, Dr. Hurn was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame (Dodge City, Kansas).
After his retirement, Kent and Donna spent several years traveling the globe and enjoying each other and their families. Kent loved hiking at Estes Park (he and Donna met Kent's goal of reaching the keyhole of Longs Peak), camping with his kids, and was a big fan of track and field, and KU athletics. He was honored to have Seaman High School Track named after him.
Kent will Lie In State at Parker Price Funeral Home Friday, April 1, 2022 from 2pm until 6pm. The family will be present from 4pm to 6pm to receive visitors.
A funeral service will be held at Northland Christian Church on Saturday April 2, 2022 at 1:30pm followed by interment at Rochester Cemetery in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be donated to North Topeka Sunrise Optimist, Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame or Northland Christian Church.