Scouting for life: Advance man still involved in Scouting more than 60 years after becoming Eagle Scout

Jack Hurt became an Eagle Scout in 1946, not quite two weeks after his 15th birthday. Having joined the Boy Scouts of America at age 12, Hurt advanced in rank from Scout to Eagle in three years.

Hurt liked Scouting so much that he earned 47 merit badges -- 26 more merit badges than the 21 required for the rank of Eagle. Hurt said he earned the extra badges simply because he was interested in learning about the badges' subjects -- from agribusiness to woodworking -- and the challenges they offered.

Sixty-three years have passed since the day Hurt achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest accomplishment in scouting. Eagle Scout is an exclusive tier. Only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts, according to the Boy Scouts of America website.

"I have done all I can to see youngsters grow to become young men. I try to instill in them what was instilled in me," said Hurt, now an adult Scout volunteer.

He was 13 when his father died, and Hurt said Scouting helped him identify with positive role models.

"Scouting, in a way, took the place of a father figure," Hurt said. His younger brother, Steven, who died in his 20s, was also involved in Boy Scouts.

Hurt's late wife and both of his daughters have been involved with the Scouts.

Through the years Hurt has served as Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, neighborhood commissioner, unit commissioner and chartered organization representative serving as the liaison between church and Scouting. Hurt currently serves as a unit commissioner in Advance, Mo., where he guides and assists the Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Venture groups.

Bill Crowell has known Hurt for almost a decade. Crowell is the district executive for the Shawnee District, the local office of the Greater St. Louis Council.

"As a unit commissioner he keeps tabs, serves as a resource and helps out the Scouts in Advance," Crowell said. "He's been a great volunteer and is always willing to jump in where needed. When Jack says he's going to do something you don't have to worry about it. You know he's always going to get the job done and do it right."

Hurt said he learned it all from the Boy Scouts.

"The principles of the Scout Law and Scout Oath stuck and made an indelible print on my mind," Hurt said. "It stems from early training in Scouting. Part of the Scout Oath is reverence."

Character traits encouraged in the Boy Scout Oath include trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness; being courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

A certified lay preacher, Hurt said he has enjoyed holding services in several Missouri churches over the years and continues to do so. His involvement in the Methodist Church has included numerous leadership, teaching and committee chair positions.

Hurt's wife was an active Girl Scout leader while their two daughters were growing up. As a young adult and the father of two daughters, Hurt said, he was asked why he devoted so much time to Boy Scouting. He would reply, "I cannot think of anyone else I'd want my daughters involved with."

Hurt's daughter, Beverly Boyer, did not end up marrying a Boy Scout. But she said growing up in a Scouting family led to a leadership role in Girl Scouting.

"I think it was embedded in me to do something with the Scouts. If you were a Scout for any length of time you were probably taught what's important and why," Boyer said.

"The ideals and principles of the Scout Oath and Law, in my opinion, are the epitome of what the United States should be about," Hurt said.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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