James W. “Jim” Thurman, 95, died September 22, 2020, at Almost Home, Great Bend, where he had been a resident for more than 6 years. Jim was born May 30, 1925 in Larned, KS, the only child of Clair W. and Bess (Hawkins) Thurman. He was raised in Rozel, KS where his parents owned a hardware store. His uncle and aunt, Ray and Hannah Hawkins, also lived in Rozel and were an important influence throughout his life.
Jim graduated from Rozel High School in May, 1943. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served as a mechanic in California, Texas, New Jersey, Kentucky and in Arles, France. His military service was later celebrated when he participated in an Honor Flight to Washington DC. After discharge, Jim began college at Fort Hays Kansas State College.
He married Darlene Nelson of Larned, KS on January 23, 1947 at the Nelson family farm west of Larned, while they both were attending college. He worked as a janitor in Picken Hall on campus and pitched for local town team baseball teams to help make money for their growing family. Jim graduated from Fort Hays in 1949 with a BS in Physical Education and Business Administration where he was president of his senior class. He was a high school teacher and coach and later bookkeeper and car salesman in Lyons, KS from 1949 to 1953. Jim and Darlene moved to Larned in early 1953 where he began work as a car salesman and bookkeeper for Barr Motor Company which later became Chance Motor Company.
In May 1958, Jim and his family moved to Great Bend where Jim changed careers and became an insurance salesman for Federated Insurance. He later joined Bruce Buehler Insurance Company which eventually became Thurman Morrison and Associates. He retired as an independent insurance agent in 2000, at age 75.
In 1963, Jim and Darlene bought a small cabin in Green Mountain Falls, CO. They loved their time in the mountains at the Sleepy Seven cabin, especially enjoying when Darlene’s sister and brother in law and their kids joined the Thurman family there.
Jim officiated both high school and collegiate football and basketball for 30 years, retiring in 1977. In 2001, he was inducted into the Kansas Collegiate Officials’ Hall of Fame. He served one term as president of the Kansas College Officials Association.
Jim became a licensed private pilot in the 1960’s and enjoyed flying for many years. He was known for flying low over the family home on Sheridan to let Darlene know (and probably the neighbors too!) that he’d be landing at the airport soon. His hobby in his later years was farming the Nelson and Thurman family land at Larned and Rozel with his son, Doug. Even after he couldn’t drive a tractor anymore, he loved nothing better than mowing the grass around the sheds and buildings.
Jim served the city of Great Bend as a councilman from 1982 to 1985 and as mayor from 1985 to 1989. During that time, Great Bend became a Sister City of Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. Jim and Darlene were able to visit the German sister city when he was mayor.
Jim, Darlene and their family were charter members of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Lions Club and VFW, all of Great Bend.
Survivors include 5 children, Pamala Larsen (Tom Thompson) of Loveland, Colorado, Craig (Mary) Thurman of Overland Park, Kansas, Douglas (Judy) Thurman of Hays, Kansas, Denise Parker (Dan Pfannenstiel) of Dodge City, Kansas, and Marisa (Kevin) Struckhoff of Windsor, Colorado; 15 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren plus 2 on the way; a sister-in-law, Gwyneth Frack, of Garden City, Kansas; 3 nieces and 1 nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; his parents; his son-in-law, Randy Larsen; and great granddaughter, Finley Grace Taylor.
Visitation at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend will be held from Noon to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2020. Jim’s children will be present from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and request that masks be worn. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is having a private graveside service at the Great Bend Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Thompson presiding. Memorial donations can be made to Almost Home, Inc. or Trinity United Methodist Church, both of Great Bend, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend.
Our family extends our sincere thanks to Leilani Schenkel and the staff of Almost Home for their diligent and loving care of Jim during these past several years.