Larry Owen Thurston, 67, of Emporia, died Sunday, March 6, 2016 at his home, after a courageous 15-year battle with cancer.
Larry was born on March 18, 1948 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Prentice Boyd and Lillian Gazella (Shumate) Thurston. Larry graduated from Elmdale High School afterwhich he attended a vocational school. Larry was previously married to Peggy Grundy, and later to Linda Carter Wilson, both from which he divorced. After a 12-year courtship, Larry married Judy Ristau on April 17, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives.
Surviving family members include: wife, Judy of the home, and their dogs, Annie and Oliver; brother, Daniel (Carla) Thurston of Madison, Kansas; sister-in-law, Alane Thurston; nephews, Cody Thurston, and Travis (Jeana) Thurston; niece, Michelle Wilson; a special aunt, Joann Shumate; and cousins, Barb (Standiferd) Rotramel, and Robert Standiferd.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, James B. Thurston; and brother, Lynn D. Thurston.
Larry sold Mac Tools before beginning his career in 1977 with the Santa Fe Railroad. At the time of his retirement in October 2015, he was an engineer for BNSF. Memberships include Messiah Lutheran Church, BLE Lodge #130, Jaycees in Cottonwood Falls, and the UTU 412 Trainmen.
Cremation is planned, with a visitation from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia. The memorial service will be Friday afternoon, March 11, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at Messiah Lutheran Church, Emporia. The family suggests casual dress.
A private burial will take place at Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests no flowers, but memorial contributions instead to Hand in Hand Hospice or Olathe Medical Cancer Care (OMCCF) sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Owen Thurston, please visit our flower store.
Larry was born on March 18, 1948 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Prentice Boyd and Lillian Gazella (Shumate) Thurston. Larry graduated from Elmdale High School afterwhich he attended a vocational school. Larry was previously married to Peggy Grundy, and later to Linda Carter Wilson, both from which he divorced. After a 12-year courtship, Larry married Judy Ristau on April 17, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives.
Surviving family members include: wife, Judy of the home, and their dogs, Annie and Oliver; brother, Daniel (Carla) Thurston of Madison, Kansas; sister-in-law, Alane Thurston; nephews, Cody Thurston, and Travis (Jeana) Thurston; niece, Michelle Wilson; a special aunt, Joann Shumate; and cousins, Barb (Standiferd) Rotramel, and Robert Standiferd.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, James B. Thurston; and brother, Lynn D. Thurston.
Larry sold Mac Tools before beginning his career in 1977 with the Santa Fe Railroad. At the time of his retirement in October 2015, he was an engineer for BNSF. Memberships include Messiah Lutheran Church, BLE Lodge #130, Jaycees in Cottonwood Falls, and the UTU 412 Trainmen.
Cremation is planned, with a visitation from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia. The memorial service will be Friday afternoon, March 11, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at Messiah Lutheran Church, Emporia. The family suggests casual dress.
A private burial will take place at Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests no flowers, but memorial contributions instead to Hand in Hand Hospice or Olathe Medical Cancer Care (OMCCF) sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Owen Thurston, please visit our flower store.
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