We’ve been having a hard time writing this obituary because conventional methods require I give you all the simplistic information about our father. Where he grew up, who his wife, children, and siblings are. But my father was everything BUT simplistic. He was a father, husband, and protector. He would not let anyone harm anybody he loved. He was the life of the party, ‘DJ Undaground’ on the mic, Rap-A-Lot for life. He would say he was a famous, a legend before his time, and I have to admit everyone seemed to know him. He has never met a stranger. He was so charismatic, making lifelong friends everywhere. Respected by businessmen and street folk alike, because of his honesty and trustworthiness. Loved fishing, chess, numerology (He was supposed to crack the code for picking lottery numbers), and studying the bible. He was a talented musician, accomplished in lead and bass guitar, keyboard and organ. He was Big Daddy to his 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, to his children Daddy, and ‘Water Head‘ to his wife. The man holding lemonade when life handed his children lemons. He believed in tough love, but only because he loved tough. Deep and with conviction, he was passionate about the things he believed. He brazenly told me (Nova) he was perfect, and while I argued with him at the time that no one was perfect I now realize he is the perfect him. We’ll miss his stories (Jumping off the train running) , strange advice (because the sauna is the best way to keep thin), huge heart (he had rice and beans for everyone who needed it), and honest words. He was our father, he said he would never leave any of us and with the strong memories we have I know this to be true.

So now for the particulars:

John Henry Hurt III was born to John Henry and Bobbie Jean Hurt in Logan, WV on July 27,1960. He was the 5th or 6 children born to that union.

John lived in Martinsville, VA and Cincinnati, Ohio until after discharge from the Marine Corps, when he decided to make Cincinnati his permanent home. John met and married Lori (Martin) Hurt and they had 4 children together; Kimberly Alexander, Nova Hurt, Dorothea (Alexander Jr.) Strickling and John H. Hurt IV.

In the early years of their marriage, John worked as a mover and owned his own Moving company (Furniture Movers) after that John worked for Rap-A-Lot records for 20 years in promotions and security. He was an avid musician and DJ until the time of his untimely death from complications of the heart and a stroke on September 14,2016. He was 56 years young.

John was preceded in death by his Mother and Father and sister Lily Mae Gatewood-Milner. John is survived by Lori and his four children, Siblings Percy (Debra) Hurt; Rhoda (Napoleon) Hurt; Nancy (Ronald) Holloman; and Addie (Bobby) Dixon, Dylan Hurt. Ten grandchildren, One great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please help us celebrate the life of John H. Hurt. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:30 am on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Newcomer Funeral Home Western Hills Chapel, 3300 Parkcrest Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211. Repast immediately to follow at the Lincoln Center at 1027 Linn St.Cncinnati, Ohio 45203.