A Century Well Lived: Holly Springs (NC) Resident Don Hurlbert Marks 100 Years of Service, Innovation, and Family
From wartime service and early computing to a life devoted to family, faith, and community, Hurlbert’s century-long journey reflects a remarkable American story.
Holly Springs, NC, Jan. 19, 2026 — Holly Springs resident Don Hurlbert’s 100th birthday this past Saturday was marked not just by the turning of a calendar page, but by a gathering that reflected a century of service, curiosity, resilience, and quiet leadership.
Roughly 100 family members and friends gathered to celebrate the milestone, filling the room with laughter, music, and stories spanning a remarkable lifetime. Music played a central role throughout the afternoon, highlighted by Hulbert’s son’s concertina performance and a spirited group sing-along of Don’s favorite song, “Sweet Caroline.” The moment captured the warmth of the occasion and the deep bonds that surround him.
The celebration included several meaningful tributes. Bill Miller of Aspens Military in Action presented Don with a commemorative cap and rendered a formal salute in recognition of his service. The timing also coincided with Popeye Day, prompting a lighthearted presentation of a can of spinach, a nod to strength, longevity, and good humor that drew smiles from the crowd.
Representatives from the Durham VA followed with a formal presentation, honoring Don with a framed letter from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs recognizing his military service and lifetime of contribution. A mayoral proclamation from Holly Springs Mayor Mike Kondratick further recognized Don’s 100th birthday and the example he has set through a century of living.
Don himself offered brief but powerful remarks, reflecting on the generation that shaped his life:
“I am also glad to be among those who served our great nation, 85 years ago — the 16 million men and women who fought against repression and slavery, cruelty and killing, all over the world. There are only 40,000 of us left today, but I hope that the 400,000 who gave their lives so that our great nation might continue as the land of the free and the home of the brave inspire us to defend her for all time to come.”
Additional remarks were offered by Michelle Anderson, Associate Pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Church, and Larry Schroeder of the Cary HAM Radio Club, reflecting the many communities Don has touched over the decades. The afternoon concluded with a toast from Don’s oldest son and the cutting of the birthday cake, a fitting close to a celebration defined by gratitude, reflection, and love.
A Life Shaped by Learning, Service, and Curiosity
Born on January 18th, 1926, in Birmingham, Alabama, Don Hurlbert grew up during the Great Depression in a household where hard work, education, and responsibility were foundational values. A gifted student, he advanced quickly through school, graduating from high school at 17 after being double-promoted in early grades. That academic momentum would shape the rest of his life.
He began college at Birmingham-Southern before entering Tulane University, where his path intersected with history. As World War II intensified, Don joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 Officer Training Program, an elite wartime initiative designed to rapidly prepare officers for service. The program placed him on active duty while attending college, combining rigorous academics with military discipline and training.
Through the V-12 program, Don trained in gunnery, navigation, seamanship, and leadership, participating in live-fire exercises and naval operations in the Gulf of Mexico. He later served aboard naval vessels during the closing stages of the war, part of the generation that prepared for the invasion of Japan before the conflict ended.
Following the war, Don returned to Tulane, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1947. He then earned a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business in 1949, serving as a Graduate School Representative to the Student Government and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
A Career at the Forefront of Technology and Innovation
Don’s professional life became a throughline of innovation, problem-solving, and forward thinking.
He began in education and business before moving into corporate management and, eventually, the emerging world of computing and data systems, long before computers became commonplace. His career would span major organizations, including department store chains, IBM, and large regional retailers, where he often found himself solving problems others had not yet recognized.
At IBM, Don worked during the earliest era of commercial computing, helping bridge the gap between business operations and machine-based data processing. He later led major technology initiatives for retailers across the South and Midwest, designing inventory, logistics, and point-of-sale systems at a time when most companies still relied on paper records.
Throughout his career, Don became known as someone who could see what was coming next, often years ahead of its time. That foresight sometimes put him at odds with more cautious leadership, but it also made him a trusted problem-solver wherever he went.
Eventually, he founded Don Hurlbert Associates, a consulting firm that served businesses across the country and built custom systems for logistics, retail operations, and data management. He continued working well into his 80s, advising companies and refining systems long after most people had retired.
A Life Rooted in Family
In 1951, Don married Barbara Trennepohl, the love of his life, beginning a partnership that spanned nearly 74 years. Together, they raised six children — Don III, David, Doug, Michael, Deborah, and Dina — as Don’s career evolved, moving across the country.
Barbara was the heart of the family, and Don often said that everything meaningful in his life began with her. She passed away in March 2025, just days shy of their 74th wedding anniversary, after a life devoted to family, faith, and service. Their marriage remains a defining chapter in Don’s story.
The couple eventually settled near their daughters in North Carolina, where Don embraced life as a grandfather and great-grandfather, finding joy in family gatherings, church, music, and conversation.
A Century Well Lived
Now at 100, Don Hurlbert represents a living bridge between eras, from the Great Depression to the digital age, from handwritten ledgers to artificial intelligence, from World War II to global connectivity.
Those who know him describe a man who never stopped learning, never stopped asking questions, and never lost his sense of curiosity or humility. Whether mentoring colleagues, building systems, serving his country, or simply telling stories with a twinkle in his eye, Don has lived a life defined by service, intellect, and generosity.
As friends and family gathered to celebrate his century milestone, the message was clear: Don Hurlbert’s story is not just about longevity, it is about purpose, perseverance, and a life well lived.
What an incredbile story of service and longevity! Reading about Don's gunnery training in the Navy and his pioneering work in early computing really brought back memories of my own grandfather's stories from that era. It's so inspiring to see someone who served their country and then continued to innovate and contribute for nearly a centuary afterwards!
Wow. Beautiful journalism.