Thomas Broward Hury's Obituary
THOMAS BROWARD HURY
1949 – 2025
If a man didn’t have children, some might think he couldn’t leave a legacy. In the wonderous life of Thomas Broward Hury, they couldn’t be more wrong.
Thomas Broward Hury passed this earth on July 9th, 2025. He died at his Flagler Beach home with family in attendance and the calm waters of his beloved river just outside his back door. He was 75 years old and had only recently been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Even facing death, Tom exhibited leadership and steady direction. He proclaimed to those who had a chance to visit that he appreciated his wonderful life, his loving wife and that he was leaving without regrets.
No regrets might mean living an excessive life for some, but not Tom. To this passionate ambassador of how to live without regrets, it meant lifelong friendships on the deepest levels; dedication to family far beyond normal standards; mentoring and guiding younger associates, friends and family; protecting, celebrating, exploring and nurturing his beloved world of water, both in Flagler County and around the world. No regrets also meant taking in the world around him at a slower pace from time to time, traveling the world by boat, by bicycle; staying true to your convictions and honoring responsibilities and of course – building and nurturing friendships along the way.
And so, it has been a steady flow of acknowledgments to his wife Barbara Tanner Hury from all over the world that Tom made a difference in so many lives. And each person who reaches out to share their profound sense of loss and sadness also shares their gratitude for their own special, personal connection to this man. Each note, letter, call, visit, post – they all shared appreciation for time, direction, guidance, encouragement, friendship and love that Tom shared with them.
Tom’s life started in Orlando on September 24th, 1949. His mother, Helen Gertrude Broward Hury had married Leo Thomas Hury in 1948. They started as another young couple determined to enjoy peace and family following the turbulence of Leo’s dedicated service in World War II. Both Tom’s parents were teachers when they met. Tom’s parents, along his two sisters, eventually settled in Gainesville, Florida. Tom grew up enjoying the people and the places in this college town and the surrounding North Florida region -- especially the not too distant Atlantic Ocean.
Tom’s love of the ocean seems to have been cemented in high school, when a band of friends discovered surfing the waves at Cresent Beach. They were hooked -- and a lifelong bond with each other and the water followed. The “Florida Ski & Scuba Squad” came later – a group that still gathers each Labor Day weekend somewhere near the North Florida coast and now celebrates generations of friendships, adventures and extended family.
This connection to water found many outlets throughout his life. There were years of volunteering to save sea turtles along Flagler Beach’s iconic red sands; Tom made annual pilgrimages with friends and family to surf and recharge in Costa Rica’s warm waters; and then there was his later in life passion for rowing that resulted in sculling trips around the country. This sculling obsession eventually morphed into the founding of the “Marker 14 Sculling Squad South” whose club motto is: No Dues, No Officers, NO RULES – except ONE! “HAVE FUN!”
His partner in life and in most of these endeavors was his wife Barbara, who he met on an organized bicycle ride in Tennessee in the summer of 1986. Barb recalls attempting to keep the relationship somewhat casual, but Tom would have none of it, proposing about a year later.
Tom served in the National Guard during his college years where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of South Florida. While there he became a member of the SAE Fraternity, with many brothers AND SISTERS remaining life-long friends.
What followed college was a career in banking, often as the CFO in Community Banks. These are the smaller banks that focus on providing traditional banking services in their local communities. As these banks began to grow, they were often merged into larger institutions. This resulted in Tom working at more than a dozen community banks all around the state of Florida over his banking career.
Tom’s final 2 roles as a CFO in the community banking world came after Tom stopped by the Cypress Bank in Palm Coast, dressed in baggies and flip flops to open some accounts and to introduce himself to the president. Tom just wanted to say hello since he and Barbara had recently relocated to Flagler Beach and set up “Surf Central South” – a compound that was soon filled with bicycles, surf boards, golf carts, and laughter as the couple maintained open doors and fellowship with friends and family. The beach house offered Tom a short walk to his beloved ocean. And he happily shared the view from the third story of spectacular sunrises, migrating whales, flights of pelicans and more. But retirement would have to wait.
It wasn’t long before the president of Cypress Bank learned that this “surfer dude” was also a highly respected banker; keen businessman, community leader and more – just the man they needed in December of 2000. A little coaxing and Tom was back in the role of CFO. A few years later, as community banks do, Cypress Bank was purchased, Tom was bought out – AGAIN – but then he and his now ex-boss, decided to do one more startup bank. This time an S-Corp that they NEVER plan to sell – Intracoastal Bank. Tom eventually fully retired in 2019, handing the responsibilities off to the young people.
Along the way, Tom stayed committed to family and community. After his mother’s death in 2009, Tom’s Dad expressed interest in returning to Europe and taking one last look at the Belgian countryside that he and his fellow soldiers of the 83rd Infantry Division fought for and liberated in the midst of the Battle of the Bulge. Tom did a deep dive into his father’s request and his research uncovered an ever grateful community. The Belgian Village of Bihain invited the Hury family and other 83rd Infantry Veterans and their families to come for the annual reenactment of their towns liberation. This was where the 90-year-old Leo Thomas Hury and his family were honored with days of VIP tours, dinners and more. And so it was that this son of the Greatest Generation made more friends and memories, just being himself. His father passed away two years later.
Tom was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow with the Flagler Beach Rotary and a second-generation Rotarian.
Tom was honored to have descended from Florida’s Broward Family and was proud to be a 5th generation Floridian.
Tom and Barb’s love of nature included getting married atop a Colorado mountain just before a snowstorm blew in; stints with sail boats; campers; trips down the Colorado River and many European bicycling trips. He was proud to be a Past President and long-time member of the Florida Freewheelers Bicycle Club in Orlando.
In addition to his wife Barbara, Tom is survived by two sisters, Kay Hury McCallister (Russ) and Julie Hury Cunkle (Curt) and their children – Austin Thomas Gresham (Christina); Parker Alexander Gresham (Mary Beth); Mallory Dawn Davis (Brad); Austin Ryan Cunkle; William Thomas Cunkle; and Lindsey Taylor Cunkle.
On Barbara’s side, there are 8 siblings with their countless offspring, along with THEIR countless offspring! Just too many wonderful relatives to name!
In lieu of flowers please donate in Tom’s honor to:
Flagler Turtle Patrol
https://www.flaglerturtlepatrol.com/
Go to the top of the page where is says “How can you help” and scroll down to “Donations”. They will walk you through it.
OR:
FLAGLER STRONG
www.WeAreFlaglerStrong.com
Click on the donation button. This is a Pay Pal account. For those who don’t use on line pay accounts, checks can be mailed to: FLAGLER STRONG P.O. Box 252 Flagler Beach, Fl. 32136
Please don’t forget to mention his name.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE PADDLE OUT FOR TOM HURY FLAGLER BEACH WHEN: Wednesday September 17th, 2025 Please arrive by 7:30 A.M. WHERE: The beach in front of the Golden Lion Cafe located at the corner of N. 5th street on A1A Flagler Beach, Florida Please RSVP by text to (407)-694-4080 with the number of people in your party who plan to attend. We want to be sure to have enough refreshments!
LODGING For out-of-towners, we are suggesting a new hotel in Flagler Beach called The Compass Hotel. It’s about $200 a night and is within walking distance of the memorial service venue. Call (386) 356-8510 for reservations.
WHAT IS A PADDLE OUT? A paddle-out service is a memorial ceremony, typically held in the ocean, where surfers and other water enthusiasts gather to honor a loved one who has passed away. It's a unique way to celebrate a life, particularly for those who loved the ocean, and involves paddling out on surfboards or other flotation devices to form a circle offshore.
All are welcome! We will meet on the beach in front of the Golden Lion at 7:30 a.m. on September 17th. Use the 5th street walk-over to access the beach. We will gather on the beach for a short ceremony. Those who prefer to stay dry will stay on the sand (you may bring a chair) and those who want to get wet can do so on a surfboard, paddle board, kayak or any other flotation device.
The folks in the water will get in a large circle, hold hands and release Tom’s ashes to the surf. Everyone will get flowers to release in the water at the designated time.
When finished, those in the water will surf/paddle back in and we will all gather at the Golden Lion for morning beverages and sweets. There will be more talking, lots of fellowship and introductions of relatives.
Please invite anyone you know who loved Tom!
Let’s have the biggest party ever! I’m counting on Tom to give us beautiful weather for his send off. However, if inclement weather causes us to cancel, please see the obituary site for rescheduling
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
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Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
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