Honoring a legacy of service:

March 22, 1942-November 8, 2026

Joseph Elbert “Joe” Hurd was born March 22, 1942 to the late Fred Byron Hurd and Annie Kathryn Kaler Craddock.
Mr. Hurd honorably served his country in the United States Air Force, enlisting in 1965 and faithfully serving until his retirement as a three-star Lieutenant General in 2000. A decorated command pilot, devoted patriot, and revered military leader, General Hurd dedicated over four decades of faithful service to the security and defense of the United States.
He was united in marriage to the former Doris Annette Newton on July 26, 1974. These two were blessed with two children, Lara and Justin.
General Hurd began his distinguished military career after earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Memphis State University. He completed pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in 1966, embarking on a path that would see him fly 169 combat missions in South Vietnam as an F-4 fighter pilot.
Over a 35-year active-duty career, General Hurd logged over 3,700 flying hours in aircraft like the F-4, F-15, and F-16, concluding his service as Deputy Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command and 7th Air Force Commander in South Korea before retiring on January 1, 2000. His honors included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.
After his retirement from the United States Air Force, he continued to serve his country working for the Department of Defense from 2000 until 2010.
He had a work ethic that was second to none, leading him, after leaving the Department of Defense, to work as the Publisher of Savannah Publishing Co., The Courier.
His mother and stepfather, Kate and Bill Craddock, originally owned the newspaper starting in 1957. For decades, General Hurd and his wife Annette owned a portion of the newspaper, while Jim and Beth Thompson owned and managed the other part of Savannah Publishing Co., until the Hurds acquired ownership in full prior to Jim’s death in 2016.
The Hurds officially ran the paper until November 2023, when they sold The Courier to Daniel and Lena Richardson of Richardson Media Group, allowing the General to officially retire from publishing.
As an involved community leader General Hurd spoke often, including Memorial Day speeches at Shiloh National Military Park, Veterans Day events at Savannah Veterans Park, and The Moving Wall honoring Vietnam veterans in 2017.
He was awarded the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce community service awards of 2014 Man of the Year and the 2022 Pinnacle Award.
He was the speaker and organizer for local “Raise the Flag” ceremonies, which are dedicated to honoring veterans and promoting proper flag etiquette.
He was the kind of person that you could turn to when you needed guidance. He was a natural born leader who spent his life in service to others.
In his free time, he loved to play golf, spend time in the woods hunting, and fly his private plane. His love of flying would be passed on to the next generation as he spent time as a flight instructor, teaching others of his great passion.
He loved to watch sports and would often be found watching the Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team and the Tennessee Volunteers Football team. He was an expert snow skier. At the end of day skiing, he and his daughter would make their way to the top of the mountain to make one final trip down together.
General Hurd was a member of Savannah Methodist Church where he was able to demonstrate his faith in service.
General Hurd departed this life in Savannah, Tennessee on Sunday, November 8, 2026 making his stay in this life some 84 years, 7 months, and 17 days.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Doris Annette Newton Hurd; daughter, Lara Teresa Frazier both of Savannah, Tennessee; son Justin Montgomery Hurd and wife Laura of Suwanee, Georgia. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Shannon Jeannette Jaffee, Audrey Diane Cochran, Allison Ruth Hurd and Anna Kathryn Hurd.
Visitation will be at Bates-Love Cremation in Savannah on Thursday, November 12, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation will also be at People’s Tabernacle Church, 20 Airways Blvd., Savannah on Friday, November 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with service to follow at 1 p.m.
Interment with full military honors will be announced at a future date.
Donations may be made to the American Red Cross, Wounded Warriors or Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) in his honor.