Efurd

John Hart Efurd, 87, surrounded by the family he loved so much, passed from this earth to his heavenly home on June 5, 2016, in Pittsburg, Camp County, Texas. He was born February 16, 1929, to John William and Mary Addie Thomas Efurd of Pittsburg. He was the 10th of 12 children. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1947. Mr. Efurd was a decorated veteran serving with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He married his childhood sweetheart and beautiful bride, Sandra Martin, also of Pittsburg, in 1952. Mr. Efurdwas a hardworker, often persevering through times of adversity, while working tirelessly from sun up to sun down. He loved the land and he, along with his wife, began planting peach trees in 1972 which quickly grew into a successful business known as Efurd Orchards. He attended Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church his entire life, serving as deacon the majority of that time. He was a man of deep faith and conviction. As a cornerstone of Camp County, he made his community better through his humble and gentle approach to life. Mr. Efurd is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; sons, Cary John Efurd, and wife, Deborah; Richard Kent Efurd, and wife, Jan; Steven Michael Efurd, and wife, Karen; and Gregory Martin Efurd, and wife, Amy; grandchildren Cary James Efurd, and wife, Kristi; Kelly Efurd Lawson, and husband, Billy; Jonathan Efurd; Austin Efurd; Lauren Efurd Lowery, and husband, Josh; Madison Efurd; Tyler Efurd; Brantly Efurd; Kevin Henderson, and wife, Beth; Reagan Efurd; and Courtlyn Efurd; great-grandchildren Kayla, Logan, Meredith, Lauren, Sandra, Jubilee, Elijah Hart, and Jonathan Hart; brother, Billy Jack Efurd of Pittsburg; and sister, Peggy Jean Mills, of Broken Bow, Nebraska. Mr. Efurd was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Fred Efurd, Leon Efurd, Richard Arthur Efurd, and sisters Nellie Mae Allen, Mary Locera Harger, Pansie Costello Johns, Lois Florine Efurd, Gladys Pauline Reaves, and Gurtha Jewel Collins. Services for Mr. Efurd will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church, with Larry Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Crossroads Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2016, at Erman Smith Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Cary, Jon, Austin, Kevin, Tyler, and Brantly. John Hart Efurd was loved by all and will be missed. The family has peace in the promise of God that John Hart is in heaven with His Savior. The family requests contributions to Crossroads Cemetery Association, in lieu of flowers.