John-Paul Douglas Hurst

John-Paul Douglas Hurst passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 56 in Springville, Utah in the loving arms of his devoted wife after a courageous 17-year battle with ocular melanoma. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

John-Paul was born on August 31, 1969, at Payson Hospital in Payson, Utah to Paul Junior Hurst and Dorothy Allen Hurst. He was the ninth of twelve children, a position he wore proudly. From early on family was central to his life, and he grew into a devoted brother and uncle.

Growing up, John-Paul attended Payson grade schools and graduated from Payson High School in 1987. During high school he participated in the Payson Marching Band playing the bagpipes and sang in Trouvères reflecting his love of music and his willingness to be part of something meaningful.

After high school John-Paul served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tallahassee, Florida Mission beginning in 1988. His testimony of the gospel and his quiet, steady faith remained important anchors throughout his life. He attended Utah Valley Community College (now Utah Valley University), then transferred to Brigham Young University where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering on August 15, 1996.

His time at BYU sparked a lifelong devotion to the school. John-Paul was a devoted BYU fan who, rain or snow, through blizzards or blazing heat, rarely missed a game—grumbling at referees, questioning every play, and laughing at the fan behind him who always yelled, “Watch the fake!”—an inside joke that kept him smiling for years. He held season tickets to BYU football for the last 30 years.

John-Paul married his sweetheart, Annie Jean Fullmer, in the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple on June 23, 2006, where they were sealed for time and all eternity. Together they built a life rooted in faith, love, laughter, and family.

Above all else, John-Paul lived for his family especially his children: Hannah, Jacob, and Jenny. He was a devoted and loving father who took great pride in each of them, quietly cheering them on, supporting their dreams, and teaching by example through his faith, work ethic, and steady presence. Whether through time spent together, words of encouragement, or simply showing up when it mattered most, his love for his children was constant and unwavering. They were the greatest joy of his life.

He had a strong work ethic and remarkable hands-on ability—if something was broken, he could fix it. He spent the best years of his professional life working for FamilySearch for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where his dedication, integrity, and service reflected the values he lived every day. He was always willing to help anyone in need whether family, friend, or stranger.

John-Paul embraced the mountains and waters of Utah with enthusiasm. He was an avid mountain biker, an enthusiastic wakeboarder, and a late-in-life snowboarder who approached the sport with pure joy. Many will fondly remember his parking-lot barbecues during snowboarding trips, shared with his brothers and their children. These gatherings reflected his love of sharing good food and good times with those he cared about

most. Beyond the tailgates, John-Paul loved to cook for family and friends, taking joy in creating food that brought them happiness.

He also cherished annual backpacking trips with his brothers, later expanding to include his nephews and his son, Jacob—traditions that became sacred time together and created lasting memories. At home he was a passionate gardener, taking great pride in cultivating his garden and generously sharing its bounty with others.

John-Paul will be remembered for the small details that made him uniquely himself. From ensuring his socks always matched his shirts to ironing his jeans, his thoughtful nature and attention to detail were evident in everything he did, reflecting the care and consideration he brought to those around him.

Above all, John-Paul will be remembered for his loyalty to family, his willingness to serve, his strong work ethic, his dry humor, and his deep love for those around him. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and love that will continue to bless the lives of all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Annie Jean Fullmer Hurst; his children Hannah, Jacob and Jenny Hurst; his siblings, Kym Hurst Ney, Robyn (Rodney Higginson), Michael (Becky Johnson), Sonya (Timothy Jeffcoat), Lisa (Daniel Whatcott), Scott (Jana Capener), Julie (Val Morris), Shelly (Thomas Lonni), Heidi (Darrick Hall), Jayson (Felisha Rova), and Lori Ann Hurst Aagard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Junior and Dorothy Jean Allen Hurst, nephew Criag Higginson, and is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Brandon (Bethany) Gull, Lacy (Dean) Evans, Jamie Ney, Derek (Janelle) Ney, Lyndsie (Spencer) Weber, Kevin (Rachel) Higginson, Melinda (Dusty) Peterson, Kyle (Stacy) Higginson, Shauna Hurst, Cindy (Morgan Smart) Hurst, Ryan (Gina Sombatsaphay) Hurst, Claire Hurst, Chandler Jeffcoat, Savannah Jeffcoat, Justin Whatcott, Candice Whatcott, Katrina Whatcott, Whitney (Rolf Hackler) Hurst, Karlee (Tommy) Stewart, Jared (Shelby) Hurst, Nathan Hurst, Allison (Alex) Harbertson, Raschel (Brad) Simons, Brittany (Corbin) Critchfield, Jeremy (Charlie) Benson, Zachary Morris, Natasha (Carson) Bateman, Alyssa Lonni, Jessica Hall, Nicole Hall, Katelynn Hurst, Amelia Hurst, Preston Hurst, Brinlee Hurst, Conner Hurst, and Kadence Aagard; and many other loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

The family invites all who knew John-Paul to join in celebrating his life, sharing memories, and honoring the legacy of love, service, and devotion he leaves behind.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 495 South Canyon Rd., Springville, Utah. Viewings for family and friends will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Home 211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 18 before the services at the church. Burial will be held in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.