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Obituary for George Junior Thurman
George Junior Thurman, son of Johnnie and Vivian (Smith) Thurman, was born September 28, 1929 at Lorimor, Iowa and was received into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 14th from 2-4 P.M. at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. on Monday, July 15th at the First Congregational Church in Stuart. Burial with military rites will be at the South Oak Grove Cemetery in Stuart. He received his education in the Lorimor school system and was a 1949 graduate of Lincoln High School, Des Moines. His high school years were interrupted by his enlistment in the United States Army where he served with the 43rd Engineers Heavy Construction Battalion from 1946-1948 in Japan. He later served a second tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War from 1950-1951. His army buddies were treasured and trusted friends, and he looked forward to their reunions every two years. On June 6, 1953 he was united in marriage to Norma Williamson at Berwick, Iowa. Two daughters, Gloria Lea and Barbara Kay, were born to this union. At the age of 23, George received Christ as his personal Saviour and in 1953 he and Norma began Bible college training. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska, in 1958, and was ordained as a minister of the gospel under the Association of Fundamental Ministers and Churches that same year. From 1961-1999 he pastored The First Congregational Church of Stuart and the Fairview Congregational Christian Church of Stuart. He loved to say he was not “retired” but “redirected” in his service for the Lord. He was involved throughout his lifetime with Grace University, having served as president of the alumni association, as president of the advisory council of which he was a member for many years and was selected Alumnus of the Year in 1999. His love of people drew him into community involvements such as serving on the Stuart Library Board, Stuart Rescue Unit, member of the Stuart American Legion Post 146, and in numerous other public opportunities through the years. One of his greatest loves was the Community Care Center where he was a member of the official board for many years and received the 1999 Iowa Clergy of the Year award presented by the Iowa Health Care Association. At the heart of his life was always his own family, and he treasured every opportunity to be with them, especially enjoying the family vacations. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Lewis, Donald, Robert, twin brother Francis, and John. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Norma, of Stuart; daughters Gloria and husband Bobby Shaw of Billings, Montana, and Barbara and husband Dallas Wall of Fort Dodge; son-in-law William Mountsier of Laurel, Montana; four grandchildren, Christopher Mountsier, Grant and Judy Wall, Carrie Mountsier, and Jordan and Leah Wall; three great-grandchildren, James Wall, Justin Wall, and Audrey Wall, and three more on the way; one sister, Doris Fox, Ogden, Utah; one sister-in-law, Mary Jo Thurman, Chesapeake, Virginia; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to: First Congregational Church of Stuart; Fairview Congregational Christian Church, Stuart or Stuart Rescue Unit. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
