Charles Richard Hurley

Charles Richard Hurley, 72, of Duluth, died Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center in Duluth with his family by his side after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.


The second of seven children, he was born on February 1, 1940 in Walhalla, ND, to Vernon and Lena (Richot) Hurley.

When he was 12, his family moved to Ola, AR, where he graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1958 before pursuing his passion of becoming an auto mechanic. He secured his first job in the auto body industry at Bale Chevrolet in North Little Rock, AR, shortly after his graduation where he plied his craft for some 11 years.

Charles moved to Duluth in 1971, and continued his work as an auto body specialist at Metro Chrysler before going across the bridge to Kapus-Erickson in Superior, WI. It was there, in 1982, that he met Carolyn Rock, who worked across the street from him at Superior Auto Parts.

He married Carolyn on August 25, 1984 at Lake Nebagamon Baptist Church, in Lake Nebagamon, WI. and recently celebrated 29 years of marriage to his beloved wife.


After his marriage, he worked at Kolar Buick for a time before opening up Charlie and Dave's Auto Body with his business partner David Greer. He worked as the co-owner and operator of the London Road establishment from 1986 until his retirement in the fall of 2006.

Aside from his family, cars were his life. Hurley owned numerous Corvettes and other vintage automobiles while in Duluth, and was a member of the Corvettes North Car Club. While a member, Hurley participated in many parades throughout the area and traversed a large part of the United States with the club during various summer tours.


Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, John and Robert Hurley.

Charles is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Charles Phillip Hurley, Plattsburgh NY, LCpl Mitchell Jay Hurley, who is serving in the United States Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA; four sisters Nancy Hurley, Duluth, MN, Donna Reaves, Lana Hoggard and Judy (John) Smithson, all of Little Rock, AR and many nieces and nephews.

The Hurley family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Steven Long of Mount Royal Medical Center and to the staff in Willows at Chris Jensen for all their kindness, care and support.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM, Thursday, September 13, 2012 in the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior and continue until the 7:00 PM Funeral Service with Pastor Steven Wlosinski officiating.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.