Dr. John Colon Hurst, the son of Mary Christian Hurst and C.J. Hurst of Louisville, was born March 27, 1901. He graduated from Louisville High School, the University of Alabama and Emory Medical School. Dr. Hurst served an internship at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, GA and residencies in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Mobile. He was a member of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity.
In 1928, Dr. Hurst answered the need for doctors in Opp and practiced medicine here for the next 34 years until his death in 1962. On July 14, 1929, he married Pauline Allen of Opelika. They were the parents of two children, a daughter, Betty Allen Hurst Longshore, and a son, Dr. John Colon Hurst, Jr.
During his years in Opp, Dr. Hurst was an active member of the First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Covington County Medical Society, the Alabama Medical Association, American Medical Association and the International College of Surgeons. Along with another group of citizens, Dr. Hurst worked tirelessly to secure a hospital for Opp. He was a charter member of Mizell Memorial Hospital’s medical staff and served as chief of staff. During World War II, Dr. Hurst was one of two doctors who remained in Opp to serve the community. He was a member of the Board of Selective Service, and he received several Presidential Citations for his service.
Involvement in the community was an important part of Dr. Hurst’s life. He served on the Opp City School Board, during the time the gymnasium was built, was a charter member of the Opp Rotary Club and was one of the founders and presidents of the Opp Country Club. Dr. Hurst was active with the Boy Scout program and instrumental in helping to organize the first Boy Scout Retreat for this area. He was also an active participant in the Crippled Children’s Clinic, as well as other worthy causes. One of Dr. Hurst’s greatest interests was the young people of Opp. He was available to advise anyone, especially young people who were interested in medicine. He helped them any way he could, both financially and otherwise.
The following tribute to Dr. Hurst is gleaned from a Rotary Club Bulletin dated November 21, 1962. “Last Friday morning I had the occasion to visit Dr. Hurst professionally and the following is part of a conversation that I believe exemplifies service above self as well as any example I have ever seen. In our conversation, I asked Dr. Hurst how he was feeling, and he remarked he was still weak and sometimes shaky. In return, I asked if he thought he had taken off sufficient time since his most recent heart attack. He remarked he had promised his doctors that he would work only two or three hours a day but this had not been possible because he simply could not walk away from the office or refuse a call when so many people depended on him. He pointed to his waiting room and said he felt he had responsibility to those people who needed him. “Service above Self” without reservation. We will miss Dr. John Hurst.”
Dr. Hurst’s life is a testament to the love he had for his family, his community and medicine. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
