Leo Thomas Hury, age 92, died on June 11, 2012 at his home surrounded by family.
L.T. as he was known to all, was born to the late Leo Bernard and Katie Hury in Jacksonville, FL on March 19,1920. He was raised in Jacksonville during the Great Depression. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, where he played football and was voted “most popular”, by his senior class. Following high school, he worked his way through college at the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1943 with a degree in accounting. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and the Army ROTC. After graduation, he joined the US Army and was assigned as a Lieutenant in a Heavy Weapon Platoon of the 83rd Infantry Division. During World War II, he participated in the Campaigns of Normandy, Battle of Brittany, Liberation of Luxembourg, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge and finally the occupation of Germany. He left the service as a Captain and was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart. In January 2011, at the age of 90, L. T. accompanied his son Tom to Belgium, where he had the honor of participating in a re-enactment of the Liberation of 5 Villages in Belgium, and the dedication of a Monument to the 83rd Infantry Division. In the last years of L.T.’s life, numerous elementary and middle school students had the privilege of listening to him share his war experiences, patriotism, and love for his country.
L.T. returned from the war and took a job teaching at Andrew Jackson High School. This is where he met fellow teacher, Helen Myrtle Broward of Jacksonville. He married the love of his life, with whom he shared an adoring love affair for over 60 years. Helen passed away in 2009. They spent a wonderful life in Gainesville raising their three children and enjoying good times with their friends with whom they formed great and lasting relationships.
Helen and L.T. moved to Gainesville Fl. in 1950, where L.T. managed the Auditor General’s office of the State of Florida. Following his retirement from the Auditor General’s office, he joined the C.P.A. firm of Davis, Monk, and Farnsworth. He was a member of the Gainesville Rotary, American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.
He is survived by his son Thomas (Barbara) Hury, daughters Kay (Russ) McCallister and Julie (Curt) Cunkle, grandchildren Austin and Parker Gresham, Mallory Davis, Austin, Will, and Lindsey Cunkle.
The family will receive friends at the Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue, Wednesday evening from 5-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 106 S.W. Third Street, Gainesville, FL. Entombment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central Mausoleum, 4100 NW 39th Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Ronald McDonald House of Gainesville, 1600 SW 14th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608.
