Joseph Edmund THURMON Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph Thurmon, of Troy, MO, passed on July 2, 2022, at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis, MO, at the age of 90 years. Joe was born June 7, 1932, in Troy, MO, to Thomas and Katherine Vaughn Thurmon. He was united in marriage to Faye Thurmon on June 20, 1961, in Troy, MO. Faye passed April 2, 2022, and we believe he was ready to be with her again. Surviving is his sister Irene (Robert) Trail of Oklahoma City, OK; brother Johnny Dee (Connie) Thurmon of Montgomery City, MO; his children Tom of Troy; Patty (Johnny) Beckwith of Troy; grandchildren Marcie (Caleb) Kimpel; Sheri Kuechenmeister; Autumn Thurmon and Trevor Birk; and great grandchildren Lillyan, Jace, Julian, Emma, Gianni, and one child due in September. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Eugene, sister-in-law Evelyn, and brother-in-law Robert. Joe started work at fourteen, working for his father at Troy Marble & Granite Company in Troy, MO. He did everything—from digging holes for the tombstones to put into the ground, to sandblasting the inscription into the stone before taking it out to the cemetery, to sandblasting the date onto the stone at the cemetery, plus office work when needed as well. Later on after retirement, he would joke about how he would be “cutting inscriptions in his sleep.” However there was a time he was away from “the shop”, and that’s when he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He often spoke about his time in Germany, how he enjoyed his time there, the friends he made while in the service, and would throw out a German word or two every now and then. He served from 1952-1954 in the Army in the 25th Field Artillery Battalion. He earned the AOM (Army of Occupation) medal, the NDSM (National Defense Service Medal), and the GCM (Good Conduct Medal). He was interviewed October 15, 2015 for the MVHP (Missouri Veterans History Project). His story was preserved not only for the family but also for the U.S. Library of Congress and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Joe is also a member of The American Legion. Through the Grand Lodge of Missouri Joe achieved the Master Mason degree. Joe came back to the shop after serving his country and continued doing what he did best, which was leaving a legacy for many years to come that people can always see in the cemeteries. In the places where families and friends come to visit their loved ones and take comfort knowing they can pay their respects. Joe continued to work into his seventies, mostly serving in a consultant role for the latter years. Joe and Faye had only known each other 3 months before they married. Joe had to see her every night after they met. At one point she needed a break and told him she needed to stay home to wash her hair, but he called her that night and kept her on the phone for hours. Joe, since he worked outside in the cemeteries, would wear hats. On occasion he would choose hats that were very unsightly or silly just to aggravate Faye. It was all in fun of course. He was quite the jokester with everyone. Joe had the biggest heart a person could have. No matter what a person’s station in life was, he was kind, friendly, smiled, and joked with them. His magnetic personality also worked with animals of all kinds. His “don’t sweat the small stuff” motto helped keep him young at heart, as did the love for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for any one of them. They were his world. And now he’s back where he belongs with his bride of almost 61 years, Faye. He was lost without her and time for him to go to her. Faye passed at 12:55 AM on April 2, 2022, and Joe passed at 12:45 AM on July 2, 2022; almost 3 months exactly. There will be a memorial visitation at Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Joseph Edmund THURMON

June 7, 1932 - July 2, 2022