John Fredrick Thurman Sr.

Service for John Fredrick Thurman, Sr. will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Claremore Assembly of God Church; burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 7, from 2pm-8pm, with family receiving visitors from 6pm-8pm. John passed away on Friday, January 3, 2020. He was 81.

John was born on January 9, 1938 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to O.A. and Freda Imogene (Mills) Thurman. He went to school in both Claremore and Chelsea. When he finished school, John worked for his dad for a time. He later was working for a mobile home place and then at the RV dealership. He was the co-owner of Thurman Traveland through the years, selling in 2003. On February 15, 1957, John married Mary Sumter, and their marriage was blessed with three children.

When not hard at work, John enjoyed being with his family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. His skills allowed him to make many items he shared with the kids, those rocking horses were a great deal of fun for the grandchildren. John and Mary took the kids and later grand kids to Branson just about every year and he loved seeing them enjoy life. It didn't matter if you came to see him at home or he saw you around town, his goodbye was "glad you got to see me".

A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, John will be missed by all who knew him. Those family members that survive include his wife Mary, his daughter Diana Thurman of Broken Arrow; his son Freddie Thurman of Claremore; his grandchildren Brandon Harris, Zachary Rogers, Cheyanna Imbimbo, Chelsea Rogers, Dakota Thurman, Austin Thurman, T.J. Thurman; his great-grandchildren Zander Harris, Jase Harris, Blake Rogers, Devan Rogers, Lucas Wilson, Piper Bradshaw, Camden Rogers Mayfield, Paisley King, Dusty Thurman, Kynsley Thurman, and Koen Thurman. John was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Regina Smith, grandson Cody Thurman, and brother Jack Thurman.