LYNDON, Kan. – At the age of 82, James Harold “Jim” Thurman went to join the love of his life and best friend, Sandra, in the presence of the Lord on July 17, 2020. Sandra had gone ahead of him in 2017 after 60 years of marriage. Jim was born Feb. 18, 1938, in Jenkins, Mo., to Joel and Nellie Audrie Thurman.

Jim worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 30 years in the Tulsa, Little Rock, and Kansas City districts. In his earlier days with the Corps he worked on the construction of lock-and-dam systems on the Arkansas River from near Tulsa, Okla., to Russelville, Ark., and on reservoir dams including Beaver Lake in Arkansas, and Stockton Lake in Missouri. He then became a park ranger at Stockton and later the chief ranger at Pomona Lake in Kansas, and finally the maintenance supervisor at Perry Lake, Kansas.

From his years of work experience he developed the unique ability to operate just about any piece of equipment. He was an avid tinkerer, always making or repairing something, and spent a great deal of time researching his ancestry.

Jim was an avid fan of old-time bluegrass music and played multiple instruments including guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. He even had at least one opportunity long ago to perform on the radio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Lynn; and his eldest son, Mark.

Survivors include his son, Steven, of Edgar Springs, Mo.; daughter, Sharon Culley (Kevin), Lyndon, Kan.; and five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Family will hold a private memorial service. Visitation for friends and guests will be 7-8 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Feltner Funeral Home, Lyndon, Kan.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Lyndon Carnegie Library. Online condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.