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Grover J. Thurman, 98

Grover J. Thurman passed peacefully into eternity and the arms of his Lord Jesus on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at 12:50 p.m. Grover was born to Ernest and Jimmie Thurman, on Oct. 6, 1919, at the family home in Hotchkiss, Colo. He was the youngest of three children, but was raised as an only child for most of his life due to the premature deaths of both of his siblings.

Grover grew up in Hotchkiss, Colo. with his parents, who had large fruit orchards on the Fire Mountain Ranch. The onset of the Great Depression changed all their lives dramatically. After graduating as the first National Honor Society student from Hotchkiss High School on May 20, 1937, Grover attended Grand Junction Business College on a scholarship. As a young adult, he committed half of his earnings to help his mom and dad get by.

Grover served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Grover made the U.S. Navy his career and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in September, 1965, after 20 years of service. After retirement, he became employed by ATAC in Warren, Mich., until his final retirement at age 55.

Grover met our mother, Helen B. Lezon, in Philadelphia during WWII while he was on leave. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on Feb. 11, 1945, prior to Grover’s deployment to the Pacific. Helen moved to Colorado to live with Grover’s mom and dad until Dad returned from the war.

Helen preceded Grover in death in 2003, at the age of 79. They had been married for 58 years at the time of her passing.

Grover and Helen are survived by three children, Jean (William) Leeds, Mark (Debbie) Thurman, Grady (Chandan) Thurman; five grandchildren, Jonathan Leeds, Jennifer (Tom) Haag, Rachel (Mike) Hudspeth, Jessica (Josh) Schamberger, Jackie (Matt) Dawson; and seven great-grandchildren, Collin Haag, Lucas Haag, Trever Haag, Aaron Hudspeth, Garrison and Oliver Schamberger and Ezra Dawson.

Grover loved life and the beauty of God’s creation. He was an avid reader, enjoyed good conversation, music, dancing and movies. Dad professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was a loving and committed father who greatly valued family. He loved America and the freedom that this great country affords its people, and instilled that love in each of his children.

Our family is very grateful to Tim and Heather Gray and the Generations family of employees who provided such a warm, loving and comfortable “home” for Dad to spend his final three years of life. A special thank you also to the staff of North Idaho Hospice who oversaw dad’s care in his last six weeks.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Yates Funeral Home – Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. A viewing is scheduled at 1 p.m. the same day prior to the funeral service. His final resting place will be beside our mom at Riverside Cemetery in Hotchkiss, Colo. Please visit Grover’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.