Earl Alvin Hurley, longstanding member of the Trinidad community, successful businessman, civic booster, devoted father and grandfather and friend to all, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026. He was at home, at peace and with his family present. The cause of death was complications due to COPD. He was 76 years old.
Earl was born on August 5, 1949 in Tribune, Kansas, to Earl Everett and Violet Lucille Hurley. He had two brothers (Jack and Don Hurley who are now deceased and a sister Lynn Hurley who lives in Kansas City). After the early passing of his father, his mother married into the Lucero family and moved to Colorado. His mother also then passed and Earl moved to Trinidad and was raised by a wonderful family that included Eralia Gonzales Lucero, Marge and Sam Tapia, and brothers in spirit Andy (and Jody) Lucero and Ron Tapia. He graduated from Trinidad Catholic High School in 1967.
Earl married Roberta Lee in 1968 and they had two children, Heather (and husband Brooks) Salhus of Steele, ND and Alicia Hurley (and wife Lynne Brown) of Silverthorne, CO and New York City. He is survived by them in addition to three grandchildren, Amanda, Jessica and Taylor, all three of whom currently reside in Trinidad. If you asked him his greatest joy in life, he would respond it was his girls, all of them. He was very proud of all the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He remained best of friends with his former wife, Roberta Lee Hurley Brown, who also survives him.
Hospitality and food were the twin themes of Earl’s life and long career and his jokes and humor permeated all of his endeavors. Earl co-owned Lee’s BBQ (with Robby Lee), after buying the business from the original owners Robert (Bob) E. Lee and Ray Lee. Earl was then in business with Roberta and Bob Lee and ran Bob Lee’s Cafe and ultimately he landed with running the famous Bob and Earl’s Cafe, a must-stop not only for Trinidadians but for the many visitors and tourists passing through.
Earl was well known for his willingness to help out those who needed him, from his employees at the cafe to neighbors to the wider Trinidad community. He was known for his quiet demeanor laced with humor and carried himself at all times with a stoical grace, even during his final days.
There will be no immediate services but the family plans a celebration of his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you simply be kind to a neighbor today, in his honor. In addition, donations in his memory may be made to Sangre Cristo Hospice in Trinidad (www.sangre.org/donate-now2/).
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