James "Jim" L Hurlbut

James L. "Jim" Hurlbut, age 88, Clark, died in Watertown on Tuesday morning, November 10, 2020 following a brief illness.

DUE TO CURRENT CONDITIONS WITH THE COVID-19 VIRUS, MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE VISITATION AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE FUNERAL SERVICE.   Thank you for your understanding.

Visitation will be Friday, November 20, from 4-6 PM at Furness Funeral Home of Clark and one hour preceding the service. The funeral services will be Saturday, November 21, at the First Presbyterian Church of Raymond at 11 AM with CRE Michelle Mehlberg officiating. Debra Waldner will be the pianist. Honorary casket bearers will be Jim's pride and joy - his grandchildren and great grandchildren and anyone that was lucky enough to share a cup of coffee with him in the morning at the Corner Diner. Active casket bearers will be Terry Schlagel, Brian "Odie" Bolcerek, Scott "Lite" Lietheiser, Dana "Bacon" Hink, Mario "Mayor" Guzman, Gale "Uncle Gale" Filipek, and Wade "Tator" McGraw. Burial will be in the Prairie Valley Cemetery of Raymond.

James Lester Hurlbut was born in Raymond Township on June 28 ^th , 1932 Raymond SD to Lester and Mattie "Young" Hurlbut. The family started Hurlbut Angus in 1943. Jim attended school in Raymond, SD, where he played basketball and baseball. This is where his love of sports started. He graduated from Raymond High School in 1950.

Jim served honorably in the military from 1953-1955 as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. He married Darlene Corkin in 1951 and they were blessed with their son, Rod in 1956 and daughter, Tami in 1959. The couple would later divorce. Jim married Janet Hanson on Dec 8 ^th , 1979 and he gained step-children Scott, Bruce and Pam.

Jim kept busy as he officiated basketball games, was a member of the SD Jaycees, a member of the SD Angus Association & the American Angus Association, one of the original members of the Raymond 4H Club, a Clark County 4-H Leader for 30 years, a member of the Amercian Legion Baker Post #209 in Raymond, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Raymond.

He loved his family above everything and he was a very proud man. You could always find him in the bleachers at Clark Comets/Cyclones events as he was a huge fan. Jim loved hunting pheasant and deer with friends and family. Opening weekend was a national holiday! He was a St Louis Cardinal fan from the time that he could swing a bat. He thoroughly enjoyed coming to the farm every day, attending the events of grandkids and great grandkids, livestock shows, rodeos, and sporting events. Jim was an avid story teller, whether they were tall tales or the truth that is for you to decide!

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife Janet; children, Rod (Mary) Hurlbut of Raymond SD, Tami (Lowell) Pfleger of Rapid City SD, Scott (Carol) Hanson of Owatonna, MN, Bruce (Doreen) Hanson of Alexandria, SD; 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; brother Dean (Gloria) Hurlbut of St. Joseph, MO; sisters-in-law Wylla (Claire) Konold of Watertown, SD, Arlene (Dennis) Milton of Watertown, SD, Darlene Martinson of Pella, IA, and Peggy (Wayne) Knutson of Toronto, SD.

Preceding him in death are his parents Lester and Mattie; stepdaughter Pam Hanson; and brother-in-law Allyn Martinson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Clark Co. Jr. Leaders Association and/or SD Junior Angus Association.

Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com