"Mike was an awesome coworker, friend, family man. He had a unique gift of making your day better by just being around him. He is greatly missed."
In loving memory of
Michael Lee Thurman
September 8, 1960 - September 7, 2019
Funeral Services for Michael Lee Thurman, age 58, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2019 from the First Christian Church in Livingston. Rev. James Shenko will officiate. Burial will be in the Overton County Memorial Gardens. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Livingston.
Michael passed from this life on Saturday evening, September 7, 2019 from the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family, after a short battle with cancer.
Mike was born on September 8, 1960, in Tipton, Indiana, to Sammy Ezell and Bobbie Jean Thurman. He was a passionate musician, and never turned down the chance to "pick" his guitar and sing a song for everyone.
Mike graduated from Livingston Academy in 1978, and worked as a lab technician at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He married Amy Patricia Dewberry Thurman on April 18, 1987 and was happily married for 32 years. He and Amy loved to travel and spend time on the lake. The light of his life was his only daughter, Morgan. Mike always put others before himself, and spent his life serving his family and friends.
Mike's loved ones who remain are his wife, Amy of Livingston and loving daughter, Morgan Thurman Hale and husband Andrew of Knoxville; his parents, Sammy Ezell and Bobbie Jean Thurman of Allons; brothers, Keith "Simon" Thurman and wife Sherry of Cookeville, and Sammy Kent "Kenny" Thurman of Nashville.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Pearlie and Sam Thurman, and Joe and Hauti Ledbetter, and sweet dog Lucy.
Pallbearers to serve are Ken Dodson, Barry Johnson, Doug Maynard, Scott McCormick, David Qualls, and Frank Walters.
Honorary Pallbearers are Simon Thurman, Kenny Thurman, Ronnie Thurman, Dylan Thurman, Blake Thurman, and Parker Thurman.
Tributes
"Mike was one of the best co workers anyone could ask for. Always going above and beyond for all of us at CRMC. My last semester of school was very tough and Mike always asked me how school was going and told me to hang in there. He always gave me words of encouragement and could brighten anyone?s day and make them laugh. When I was PRN, I was always excited to come in, hoping Mike was working too. He will he missed by so many!"
"Mike always greeted me with a smile. He was an awesome person who genuinely loved people. He had a great sense of humor. He was an intelligent, but humble lab tech...always willing to help out in any way he could. I am so glad to have known Mike while working at CRMC and have only precious and fond memories of him. My deepest sympathy for the family. "
"One of the nicest, and consistently cheerful people I?ve ever known while working at CRMC. Mike will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with the Thurman family, friends and coworkers. "
"My thoughts are with you Amy and Morgan! I watched Tennessee win the National Championship with you guys. So many great memories from those years in LaVergne. Mike always had a smile on his face and the very best sense of humor. He was a bright light!! All my love to your family."
"Mikey was the kind of guy that was everyone?s favorite co worker. Always a big smile, kind words, and willing to help in anyway he could. He brought so much happiness and laughter to this world. I can only hope we all learned from him and will try to be more like him. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. "
"So many memories from my childhood of my cousin with the quick jokes and amazing grin. I will always treasure you as one of my favorite memories from my childhood! "
"So sorry to hear of Mikes passing. I?m sure he will be missed. He was such a sweet gentle person. I?m glad to have known him back in our younger years and for all the happy memories I have there ,from when we lived there! All my love to your family at this time. Love, Tammy Pyles(Smith)"
"Amy, and family so sorry about Mike I never saw him when he wasn't smiling.I know he will be missed by many. You all were like family to me having worked for Tom and Patsy so long. I just pray God's blessings upon each one of you. Love you all. Sue "
"Mike was one of those special lab students that you knew he would be great where ever he worked. I was thrilled when he and Amy moved back to Livingston and he worked at CRMC. He made everyone he worked with a little happier and he was an unbelievable musician. We have lost a great friend...... prayers to Amy and Morgan. Diane R"
"That really hits home when a classmate passes from this life, and certainly when someone as nice as I remember Mike being. Though we weren't close friends, I always admired Mike for being kind and always, ALWAYS had a smile for everyone. And with that said, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers of peace and comfort to my good friend Simon, and to all of the family."
"That really hits home when a classmate passes from this life, and certainly when someone as nice as I remember Mike being in school. Though we weren't close friends, I always admired Mike for being kind and always, ALWAYS had a smile for everyone. And with that said, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers of peace and comfort to my good friend Simon, and to all of the family."
"I went to lab school with Mikes brother Simon. Simon was very proud of Mike and spoke of him often. When Mike started working at CRMC we immediately became good friends. Mike was a hard worker and very knowledgeable in his field. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his sudden passing. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Mike always had a smile and uplifting spirit."
"Gary & Melissa Greenwood Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We think of you as family. May God comfort you through this terrible time. Love You"
"Karolyn and I send our heartfelt condolences. I can remember Mikes little quips in a conversation. bruce"
"Bless ur hearts thank god 4 jesus"
"another of my childhood friends left this world, this shocks me!"
"Mike was such a beautiful soul that we will mourn the loss of with Amy, Morgan, and family. He was such a hard worker and so much fun to be around. Mike always had amazing words of encouragement for me during difficult times and I will be forever grateful for his kind words. He had a big heart not only for people but animals as well. Heaven surely gained a great addition but he will be greatly missed. "
"Mike was amazing. It don?t seem real. He will be greatly missed by all. Work will not be the seem. He kept us laughing. Prayers to the family "
"When I was the new kid at Allons Elementary , having just moved to Tenn from Fla., Mike was not only the cutest most popular kid, he was he kid with a big heart that made a nerdy kid feel included. At our class reunion he still had the charisma and he still had the big heart. My heart is so broken, not only from sadness of his passing but for the family that loves & misses him. I am so so sorry. ~Sheree (King) Miller"
"Mike was a once in a lifetime kind of person that comes along in life. So personable and such a joy to be around. I only knew him for a short time working together at CRMC but I will never forget that beautiful smile. He made the world a better place. My condolences and prayers for the family. "
"Mike was a once in a lifetime kind of person that comes along in life. So personable and such a joy to be around. I only knew him for a short time working together at CRMC but I will never forget that beautiful smile. He made the world a better place. My condolences and prayers for the family. "
"I could never not smile being around Mike. He was an amazing co worker and such a thoughtful and pleasant person to be around. He had an amazing sense of humor that I greatly miss. I?m very thankful for knowing him and for the time I got to work beside him. My sincere condolences to his family. You all have been and will continue to be in my thoughts. "
"Mike and I had lots of good times in high school. We were in the band together both saxophones players. We had the same group of friends all through school. Betsy Upchurch was his bestie. They were inseparable they loved each other so much. He will be missed wonderful sweet guy. lynn ashburn"
"Smiling Mike. I worked with him at CRMC and never came into work that he wasn't smiling and singing. So glad I got know him. Smiling Mikey T you will be greatly missed "
"Missed Mike a bunch when they moved. He was always fun to be around and a heck of a hard worker. He was my first friend at SCMC. He was a wonderful family man and an animal lover. Many prayers for his family! "
"I will always treasure the times I've worked with Mike past and present. He always had a smile for everyone and was so fun to work with, never a dull moment. I was so happy to see him when he came to CRMC to work. He will be greatly missed by everyone. Heaven gained a great guy. Prayers for Amy and family."
"Will miss hearing him say "Hey Rick" . He always had a smile on, until the end I'm sure. I had no idea he was ill :-( Mikey will be missed!"
"ALWAYS a smile, ALWAYS a friendly comment, I will miss you, friend to many, a pleasant employee we should all strive to be like. You have a place in Heaven! Proud to be your co-worker, Susan Bailey"
"I am so very sorry for your loss..It was a pleasure working with Mike..What an amazing person..prayer for his family.."