Skip to main content

Martin Timothy Hurt

On November 15, 1955, Martin Timothy Hurt was born to Vance and Beatrice Hurt, in Seattle, WA. He passed away on December 20, 2020,  at UW-NW Hospital in Seattle.

The seventh and last child, Martin was a very happy youngster, and was so loved and cared for by his siblings throughout his life. 

His family remembers him as a very charming and easygoing person, with a gentle soul.

He enjoyed playing baseball as a young boy, both on Little League Teams and with a large circle of neighborhood friends. He also enjoyed taking his fishing pole down to Lake Union, in hopes of a "catch of the day". 

Martin attended NQA (North Queen Anne Elementary School), Worth McClure Jr. High School, and Queen Anne High School, all in Seattle.

Music was a large part of Martin's life. He took an interest in guitar as a teen in the late 1960's. He was self-taught, and he enjoyed artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and many others of that era.  Enjoying music was his way of handling the adversity that came into his life, it served him well as a calming force to get through difficult times.

At age 50 Martin was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). He received treatment for this over the past 14 years, at The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He would often mention how thankful he was for their care of him, and that they allowed him to bring his guitar into the clinic so he could play his "tunes" for the people there. Playing his guitars meant everything to him. It brought him such peace.

He loved all things retro, especially those from the era in which he grew up. This included his favorite TV station that broadcast only TV shows from the 1950's-1980's. Among his most beloved shows were Andy Griffith, Bonanza, Perry Mason, Car 54, Barnaby, and many more.  

We will miss our "uncomplicated", simple-living brother. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Vance and Beatrice Hurt, as well as his sister, Judith Claire Hurt.

He is survived by his sisters Paula Knauer of Shoreline, WA. , Susan White of San Pedro, CA. , Lynn Watters (Pat), of Colorado Springs, CO. , and Deborah Luce (Bob), of Mountlake Terrace, WA. He is also survived by his brother Stephen Hurt (Veronica), of Mountlake Terrace, WA. , as well as several nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you, to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, for the unwavering support of our beloved brother Martin. We cannot express how grateful we are, for you all of you.

 

No service will be held at this time, due to Covid restrictions. The family will gather at a later time to honor Martin.

In memory of Martin, please send any remembrance to support either:

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA.

 The Peoples' Memorial Co-Op in Seattle

A donation to any Food Bank of your choice



Comments

Martin had such a "big heart", especially for family and friends. The friends he spoke of most often were Dan , John , Dale, and Sherrie. Thank you all so much, for watching over our brother all of these years, and being such loyal friends to him. It truly meant so much to him and his family...Just so you know, he often spoke fondly of you all.

Rest in peace our youngest sibling and Brother...

Debbie (Sister)


I imagine that Marty is entertaining all the heavenly angels with his fabulous guitar talents. He was self-taught, and music was one of the greatest pleasures of his life. He enjoyed playing for whomever would listen, even bringing his guitar to his cancer treatments and playing a tune or two for the nurses and doctors who were tending him. Not only was music a source of healing and pleasure for Marty, he also loved his nephew's great danes: Big Boy, Daisy, and Duke. And these gentle giants loved Marty as well. It was definitely a "mutual admiration society."

So grateful that our brother has been released from his suffering.

Rest in peace, Marty.

Your oldest sister Paula


For as long as my memory goes back, I have known Marty Hurt. As a kid, he was my dear childhood, and current friend’s, kid brother, and we called him Bucky. He was sweet, and despite being younger, he was a welcome addition to our childhood play. He and my younger brother Geno, my husband Tom (since he was an important part of our neighborhood), and other kids, spent time whiling away the long days of summer in the 50’s and the 60’s - playing hide and seek, combat, cowboys and Indians, in our neighborhood.

The boys ran in and around the neighborhood houses, weaving between the lines of drying laundry, from backyard to backyard (a behavior that would not be tolerated today). When playing baseball (using a tennis ball) on any neighborhood corner available, Marty could hit the ball a half a block up the street (but if the ball went into Mrs. Stacy’s yard, it would take a sincere apology, and perhaps some yard work, to get it back).

Time goes on, and kids grow up and on, and get old. We all did, as did Marty. Marty struggled for years with serious health problems. But, just like as a kid, Marty was a team player. Even as he struggled with illness, he was a trouper and never complained. He was blessed with a large supportive family who never let him down. They not only loved him, but fought for him. His life was extended by the love of his family.

Marty loved old time TV. He looked back nostalgically to the years when we were all kids. The kindness that was always present in his life was reflected in the innocent days of Mayberry and J.P. Patches. Of course, he loved watching the old TV shows that were a mainstream of our childhood. Patches Pals Forever!

Knowing how sick he was, we were thrilled when he responded to our get well card with a sweet hand written thank-you note.

When thinking about Mart, his memory takes me back to the days of innocence that have been replaced with today’s day to day rigors. Marty will always be, to our family, our neighborhood’s sweet boy who was always welcome in our after-school and summer play.

I can’t be sure of what happens after death, but if there is any justice, Marty is with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hurt (Mr and Mrs were the most common first names of adults in the 50’s and 60’s), and his older sis, Claire.

Dearest Deb, Lynn, Steve, and Paula, I am so sorry. Mart was a good kid. When I look back to the wonderful days of our childhood, he is an important thread in that tapestry. We will miss him and how he represented what was best about the “good old days”.

- Dode, aka Roz Ellison


My Uncle Marty will definitely be missed as he was one of a kind. Marty was a simple man who enjoyed simple things in life. He loved playing his guitar and was an animal lover. Dogs especially would love to get attention from Marty, he was like the dog whisperer. I will miss bringing him snacks, checking up on him via phone calls and visiting him when possible. RIP Marty, you will be missed!
 
Heidi Freeman (Marty’s niece)


Make a donation to People's Memorial