John Hura

was born on April 28, 1920, in Campbell, Ohio, to Paul and Anna Hura and died on December 1, 2007, at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Bremerton.He spent his early years in Ohio and Michigan. In April, 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to San Diego for basic training. He was stationed at Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island for 6 months. It was there that he met 15 year old Helen McDonald, who was to become his life partner for almost 57 years. In June of 1943, he was sent to New Zealand and saw action at Bougainville in the New Hebrides Islands, where he was wounded in November, 1943. He was awarded the Purple Heart and honorably discharged with the rank of PFC.He and Helen married in April of 1944 and settled down to raise their family. He worked for the Baxter-Wykoff Company until 1960 and then for the Bainbridge Island School District until 1981.After retirement, John and Helen became consummate volunteers. They spent over 20 years working for Toys for Tots. They enjoyed traveling, casinos, cards, bingo, and being with family and grandchildren. Helen passed away in 2001 and John continued being an active member of his many clubs and he especially enjoyed the Kingston Senior Center.His memberships included Liberty Bay Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, Sons of Norway, Viking Shrine Club, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, and the Marine Corps League.He is survived by five children: John Hura of Auburn, Kathy (Jim) Clark of Enumclaw, Pat (Russ) Horton of Mount Vernon, Larry (Teresa) Hura of Juneau, Alaska, and Susie (Steve) Mathews of Kingston. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Aaron Clark, Lesley (Clark) Gallego, Doug and Greg Horton, Lyndsey and Nik Hura, and Adrienne and Alex Mathews.Graveside services will be Saturday, December 8, at 3pm, at Kane Cemetery in Port Madison, with a reception following at the American Legion Hall on Bainbridge Island at 4pm.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, Colin Hyde Post 172, Bucklin Hill, Bainbridge Island.Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.