Gary Thurman

OBITUARY

GARY OLIVER THURMAN

A kind and gentle soul left this earth and that loss is felt by many, far and wide. Gary Oliver Thurman was born on August 13, 1948 to Oliver and Mildred Thurman in Capitol Hill Hospital in Oklahoma City. He walked on August 3rd, 2019, just 10 days shy of his 71st birthday.

Those who knew Gary would describe him as easy going, thoughtful, and just a happy guy who enjoyed life to the fullest.  He loved lake living and would go fishing or cruising on the lake any chance that he got. He was always up for a road trip with family and friends. In fact, one of his lifetime goals was to visit all fifty states and last year, he achieved that goal. Frequently, he was heard to say how very grateful he was, followed by “I feel really blessed to have this life”.  He was a man who loved working in his yard and helping out his neighbors with their yards or just sitting on the deck enjoying the view. To Gary, a great evening was having the opportunity to cook for family and friends and he was, indeed, a grand cook!

Gary worked in human services and social work for 30 years in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Greeley, Colorado, and Fort Collins, Colorado, retiring in 2008. In his college days, he was an expert silversmith and his jewelry was always in high demand.  He enjoyed sitting in the square in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, meeting customers and other artists. But in his leisure hours, you could always find him near water, a creek, a river, a stream or a lake. He loved his road trips and casino outings, dinners out, and music sessions with family and friends. If there was live music, he was there, be it a living room sing-a-long, a local venue, or a big name concert. He enjoyed playing his guitar and listening to classic rock. He loved mountain living in Glacier View, Colorado as much as he enjoyed lake living in Grove, Oklahoma.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred (Goddard) and Oliver Thurman, his paternal grandparents, B. D. “Bud’ Thurman and Bethel Meadors Thurman, his maternal grand parents, William Casey Goddard and Susie Skaggs Goddard, his son, Gary Clinton  (Thurman) Bowman, his brothers Terry Thurman and Jimmy Ray Thurman, a sister-in-law, Donna Smith Thurman, in laws, John Nichols Jumper and Georgia Hogner Holland, and many furry friends who crossed the rainbow bridge.

Left to celebrate their time with Gary are his nearest and dearest, Pamela Jumper Thurman; Barbara Plested; Virgil and Deborah Jumper Alcorn; Renee Brock Trapp and her family, Charlie Ross, Thomas, Kim, and Josephine Trapp; Brian and Joy Plested; Scott and Peggy Fredrick; Eddie and Irene Vernon; Scott Eastman; Robert and Debbie Anderson; Leo and Linda Nolan; Linda Allen; Pat Novak; Jacki Shumski; Debbie Jones-Saumty; Bruce and Victoria Mitchell Vazquez; Kopana Terry; Angie Bliss; and so many more from coast to coast as well as nieces and nephews, cousins, co-workers and good neighbors.

For those at a distance, please pause for a moment on his birthday at 8:20 pm Central Time on August 13th, 2019 and celebrate your friendship with Gary. The family wishes to thank Worley Luginbuel Funeral Home of Grove Oklahoma for their support and guidance during this time of loss.  Gary enjoyed feeding the birds and assorted wildlife and treasured his time with many family pets, therefore, the family suggests that memorials may be made in Gary’s name to the Second Chance Pet Rescue of Grand Lake, P.O. Box 451205, Grove, Oklahoma, 74345.

“The Celebration of Life Memorial for Gary Oliver Thurman will be held on Sunday, October 13th, 2019.  All family and friends are invited. A brief traditional service will begin at 1:00 pm in the Chapel at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Service, 711 S. Main Street in Grove, Oklahoma. Reverend Ken Bailey will officiate. Immediately following the traditional service, everyone is invited to a gathering to honor and celebrate Gary’s life with live music performed by treasured family and friends. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. This event will be held at Har-Ber Village, in the large picnic pavilion located next to the Har-Ber Village restaurant, 4404 W. 20th Street, Grove, OKlahoma. We hope you and yours are able to attend.”