David R. Hurlburt

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grampy, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and good friend. David R. “Dave” Hurlburt, 61, of New Danville, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026, in Billings, Montana, while with family.

Born in Blossburg, Tioga County, PA, he was the son of Gerald and Ann (Helsel) Hurlburt and Rhena (Sargeant) Lukawitz.

Dave had an adventurous childhood, growing up in Holtwood, PA and spending the summers with his grandparents on the family farm in Canton, PA. He went on to graduate from Penn Manor High School, class of 1984, where he especially enjoyed photography. A few years later, Dave met Crystal Martin and fell in love. They married and made their home in New Danville, raised five daughters, and shared 29 years of marriage.

He was a career owner/operator truck driver. For many years Dave operated AJD Trucking and leased to FedEx Ground, driving to California and back each week. Most recently he owned and operated Dealer’s Choice trucking, leasing to Brenchley Transport, transporting Lancaster Log Cabins across the United States. In this job with Crystal as his escort driver, he enjoyed spending each day with her and seeing the beauty of the United States, the western states being his most favorite.

Dave was a unique individual with a focus on others. He really liked little children and little children were drawn to him, pulling them around in his “train” at truck shows. He also helped his elderly neighbors and would regularly secretly buy meals at the diner for elderly people sitting by themselves and for veterans, in addition to all the meals he purchased for his friends. Dave always made sure his daughters had vehicles and that they were taken care of. When he would meet someone who was looking for work or slow in their business, Dave offered to give them work around his house.

For hobbies, Dave enjoyed going to sales and he collected Hot Wheels, neon and metal signs, John Deere tractors, toy trucks, and various antiques. If Dave knew a friend was looking for something specific, he was passionate about finding it and bringing it home for them. He looked forward to hunting each year, riding 4-wheelers, and having campfires in the back yard. He also enjoyed having animals: his dogs, CJ, Avery, Annie, and Autumn, many cats, a parrot, chickens, ducks, and guinea pigs.

Following his battle with cancer a few years ago, Dave fulfilled a life-long dream to own a cabover truck. He purchased a 1995 Kenworth K100 Aerodyne, affectionately named “Joy”, and added many chrome accessories and a stainless reefer trailer. Dave’s happy place was attending truck shows with Crystal, traveling to shows up and down the East Coast and to Canada, and he was invited to the Kenworth show and factory tour in Chillicothe, Ohio in 2024. He and Crystal made many friends and connections driving around in a golf cart at truck shows, handing out drinks, sandwiches, Hot Wheels, and on occasion, blankets. When at truck shows, Dave would purchase many raffle tickets to benefit charities and do his best to win contests of who bought the most tickets.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his daughters, Casey, Courtney, Cayla, Cody, and Catie, grandchildren, Lucas, Cayden, Desmond, and Alyce, a sister, Judy Haugh, brothers, Michael (Zila) Hurlburt and Duane (Deb) Hurlburt, stepbrothers, Michael (Rose) Helsel and Robert (Ananda) Helsel, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a mother-in-law, Louise (Galen) Martin, brothers-in-law, Anthony (Trudy) Martin and Kevin (Lori) Martin, and a sister-in-law, Christine (Todd) Hamilton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Leotta (Morgan) Hurlburt, a father-in-law, John Martin, and a brother-in-law, Ed Haugh.

A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, in the Hoffman Building of the Solanco Fairgrounds, 172 South Lime Street, Quarryville, PA 17566, with a time of visiting and fellowship from 1 PM – 2 PM. Following the service there will be a time of light refreshments.

Dave enjoyed supporting charities. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave’s memory to Make-A-Wish®, 590 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, online at wish.org/philadesv, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Austim supported by Gear Jammer Magazine, online at www.flutiefoundation.org , or to Elite Service, Inc. Benefit Truck Show, 905 Stone Hill Road, Denver, PA 17517, to support Help The Fight for those battling breast cancer (please make checks payable to “Help The Fight” and write “Dave Hurlburt” on the memo line).