Donald James Thurston, Delphos
Obituary | Donald J. Thurston of Delphos, Kansas | Wilson Family Funeral Home
November 13, 1947 - November 19, 2021
Donald James Thurston was born November 13, 1947, in Concordia to James M. and Leona (Hartley) Thurston. He left his world on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the age of 74.
Don graduated from Delphos High School in 1965 and went directly into the United States Navy, where he reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He went to sonar school in Key West, FL where he met his lifelong friend, Wayne Barricks. Don also spent time with his Uncle Charles Hartley, Aunt Dorothy Hartley, and his first cousins. He spent two years on a submarine and a few years on several different ships. Don became a recruiter and spent 20 years in the service to our country. After retiring from the Navy, Don drove big trucks for a number of years.
He settled in Jacksonville, FL and worked there for many years. He moved back to Delphos to be with his mother as she aged. He loved race cars and the racing community. Don had many friends. After the death of his mother, Leona, he spent winters in Jacksonville in his camper parked at his friend’s house who treated him like a grandpa.
Every year, Don hosted hunters from Arkansas for pheasant, turkey, and deer seasons. They too treated him like a grandpa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Leona and his brother, Larry Thurston.
Survivors are his daughter Jessica (Rick) Dubose and their two sons, Bodi and Tommy of Springfield, IL; brother Alan Thurston of Bentonville, AR; sister Virginia (Robert) Plummer of Manhattan; nieces and nephews Melanie, Amy, Jennifer, Brad, Jared, Lisa, Mardee, James, Dan, and Abbie; 16 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Donald J. Thurston, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.