James T. and Elizabeth R. Hurton Fund

Jim and Bettie Hurton were both WHS graduates (Jim 1937, Bettie 1939). This fund was a longtime goal of theirs. At WHS, Jim was co-captain of the football team. He was a graduate of Hebron Academy in Maine and took classes at Northeastern University as well. Jim lost his hearing as a result of injuries he sustained while serving in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II, and this disability made it impossible for him to continue his education after the war. He served in 11 major naval campaigns in the Pacific Area aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Pritchett. He received many citations and ribbons for his duty. He was a volunteer firefighter. He served as Grand Marshal of the Wakefield 4th of July Parade in 2001. Bettie was a cheerleader at WHS and she later attended the School of Domestic Science in Boston. She was a long time traffic supervisor for the town of Wakefield at Main & Crescent Streets and later at the Hurd School. Bettie retired in 1990 after being a crossing guard in Wakefield for 34 years. Both Jim and Bettie were active in the First Baptist Church. They established this fund with a preference for students who have learning disabilities. They were married for 55 years and had three daughters. Jim passed away in 2003 and Bettie passed away in 2008 at the age of 87.