Richard M. Hurr of Poquoson, better known as "Rick" passed away, surrounded by family on Monday, January 15, 2024. He was 65 years old.
Rick is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Rhonda; his three children, son Jerrod and wife Phyllis and their four children, Natalie, Madelyn, Jackson and Alison, son Joshua and fiancé Amber, daughter Somer and her son Greyson. He was preceded in death by his father Robert "Bob" and mother Betty of Newport News.

Rick was a 1976 graduate of Menchville High School, resident of Poquoson since 1994 and worked for the City of Newport News Waterworks for nearly 30 years before retiring and moving over to Portsmouth Waterworks as Plant Manager where he worked until his death. Rick had many great coworkers over the years that he called friends.

Rick loved coaching youth sports and helping kids. He coached youth football, baseball, softball and wrestling teams. As his children got older, he continued to coach girls softball in Poquoson, nearly winning the state championship. You could always find him in a chair on the sidelines of football practice at the high school or hear him from the stands at a football game or videotaping wrestling matches for the boys. Big Rick's presence was always felt. Helping kids in the community brought him great joy and he loved to watch them grow into adulthood. He always talked about his "kids" when he would see them do great things. He was very proud!

As his children grew up, he was blessed with five beautiful grandchildren who he adored and was affectionately known as Grandad. Grandad beamed with pride when he spoke about his grandchildren and was looking forward to helping the next generation of his family as they started getting into school and sports.

Later in life, his passion moved from youth sports to helping animals in the community. Rick and Rhonda have spent thousands of hours and untold amounts of money helping the feral cat population in Poquoson. His love for the animals could be seen daily as he would feed and take care of the many animals who had been mistreated or abandoned.

Rick was a big man with a kind and gentle heart that loved his family and animals. He was big, loud, and loved teasing people and being a pain in the butt, but he also loved to play the role of the protector. He twice rushed to his new daughter in-law's aide and rescued her from a dangerous baby squirrel that had wandered into the house while she was alone and then removed a baby snake that made its way into the basement. While some would think these things are silly, Rick never hesitated and rushed to her rescue. That was the kind of man he was! He will be missed by many!

A celebration of his life will be held at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road in Newport News on Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Pawsitively Precious Adoption (PPA), 4280 Teakwood Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188,
( http://ppava.org/donations.html) , PayPal at Bldulski@yahoo.com ; or to Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary (PAWS), P.O. Box 2204, Poquoson, VA 23662 ( http://www.poquosonanimalwelfaresanctuary.com ), PayPal: http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1993599  (Please hit friends and family so we are not charged for your donation), Venmo @PAWS-Poquoson.