Ray Dean Thurman, age 65, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11:51pm in Barnes Hospital in St Louis after a ten year bout with leukemia. He was born on June 28, 1947 in Kansas City, MO but was a long-time resident of Springfield, MO and finally of Rogersville, MO.
He is survived by his wife, Elvira Thurman, three sons: Raymond, Russell, and Ryan Thurman, one daughter: Melissa Thurman Burk, Six grandchildren: Zen, Gabe, Lydia, Sailer, Sidnie, Spencer, and one due in June, two sisters: Sharon Partain and Shirley Swineheart, and other loving relatives.
Ray graduated from Parkview High School in Springfield, MO and went on to serve as a medic for the Navy in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. He was a safety consultant in the oil industry for 25 years allowing him to travel across the globe working on large oil-rigs. He met his wife, Elvira, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, thirty years ago. He was a devoted husband and father. In his spare time he enjoyed pool, table tennis, bowling, darts, cars, basketball and taking care of his wife, children and grandchildren. He had a kind heart and a never ending desire to be there for his family and friends. He will be so missed.
Visitation will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home – east location – in Springfield, MO from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. A funeral service will be held the following day, February 7, 2013, at Greenlawn Funeral Home – east location – in Springfield, MO at 12:30pm. Following the funeral service, Ray will be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, mo at 2:00pm.