THURMAN, James R. "Bob" - b. January 5, 1933 - d. August 8, 2009

[patyrn]

James R. "Bob" Thurman, 76, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2009.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather great-grandfather, and brother who will be missed by all.

Bob was born January 5, 1933 in Clanton, Oklahoma, the son of Asa Bryant and Dorothy Opal (Gettings) Thurman, who preceded him in death. Bob started his life in the hard scrabble Oklahoma cotton fields picking cotton with his mother, so he knew what hard work was all about.  He came to Wichita, Kansas in the early 1950s to work for Cessna for the summer and stayed long enough to retire in 1995.  

Bob loved many things besides his family, including his horses, his motorcycles, and his fifth-wheel, but his big passion was fishing anytime, anywhere, and his son-in-law Chuck made sure he could fish until his health kept him at home.  

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dianne; his daughter, Lisa Macy and husband Charles of Wichita, Kansas; his son, Jim Sharp of Wichita, Kansas; his brother, John and wife Judy of Rock Hill, South Carolina; his sister, Karen and husband Don Wallace of Garfield, Arkansas and his sister, Kay and husband Lee Howell of Howard, Kansas; grandchildren, Nicole Macy Taylor and Nathan Robert Macy of Wichita, Kansas;  his great-grandsons, Jordan Oliver and Cooper Nathaniel Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews all over the states.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Andover Cemetery in Andover Kansas.  A memorial has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas, 808 S. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67211.

(published in the Prairie Star 08/19/2009)