Renzie Ellis Hurse Jr

Renzie Ellis Hurse, Jr., 88, died unexpectedly Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. He was born June 8, 1936, in Caruthersville, Missouri, the son of Renzie Ellis Hurse, Sr. and Clara Pearl Seawood. Mr. Hurse previously resided in Houston, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Benton Harbor, Michigan prior to relocating back to Houston, Texas in 2019. He attended school in the Benton Harbor School District and was raised a Christian. He worked many years as a truck driver and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He also drove buses for the City of Milwaukee and the City of Cleveland. As a young adult, he worked for Thayer Paper Company and various other employers in Benton Harbor. He was an esteemed individual to know and a vital resource in seeking employment, due to his positive work ethics and being a workaholic. He was very well known and influential with local businesses throughout Benton Harbor and the surrounding local areas. He was an experienced journeyman and this lead to him becoming an excellent carpenter. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed basketball and football. His passion was collecting coins and silver dollars as a hobby. He was known to many as “Uncle Junior”, a flamboyant character who loved life and enjoyed telling his life stories to whomever was close by. He never missed an opportunity to share his stories with family and friends; he was a great storyteller. There was never a dull moment or a lull in conversation when you were in his presence. He made a difference in the lives of his sons’ and nephews’ and they looked-up to him and hung-on-to his every word. He wasn’t always easy to please due to his high standards and expectations, as his sons’ and nephews’ will confirm from their own experiences. He was a sharp shooter never mixing his words, he was quick to notice, hear, understand, or react to things by stating his opinion. But most of all, he was preparing these young men to take a stand for something, plan for their future and be ready for what lies ahead. They learned how to dress and develop their manly swagger under his tutelage. His three main statements were take note of “who’s teaching”, “who’s telling,” and “what’s there to learn”, because you did what you were told. His comeback was always his distinctive laugh and enthusiasm. His continual and unselfish giving of himself and his wisdom will truly be missed. Mr. Hurse is survived by six children: three daughters: Renee Hurse-Hayes-Isom of Ypsilanti, MI; Theresa Hurse-Alvarez and Patrina Echols-Hurse both of Milwaukee, WI; and three sons: James (Jimmie) Hurse of Kalamazoo, MI, Ryan Hurse of Milwaukee, WI and Benjamin Hurse-Walker of Cleveland, OH; and twelve grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; two sisters: Jettie P. Hurse of Benton Harbor, MI and Erma J. Hurse of Corona, CA and one brother Theotis (Ted) Hurse of Spring, TX; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He’s preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Mae (Echols) Hurse, son Charles Darnell Hurse, daughter Cynthia Hurse and their mother Christine-Alexander Hurse and grandson Willie Edward Renzie Hurse, Jr. III. His father Renzie Ellis Hurse, Sr. and mother Clara Pearl Seawood preceded him in death as well as eight siblings: four sisters: Lillian Mae Hurse, Florence Conway, Marie Barnes and Loraine Forest; and four brothers: James (Bud) Hurse, Benjamin (Ben) Hurse, Lennon (Lennie) Hurse, and Lonathan (Lonie) Hurse as well as other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Renzie Ellis Hurse Jr

June 8, 1936 - September 21, 2024