23 March 1917 --- 1 December 1989

Raymond Albert Thurmond Sr. was born March 23, 1917, the son of Albert Henry and Eva Jaynes Thurmond at Blairsburg. He attended grade school at Liberty Township country school, and received his high school education at Williams High School, Williams.

Raymond was united in marriage to Jeanette Cuppett, Dows, on March 24, 1939, at Northwood. The couple farmed for a short time before moving to Eagle Grove in 1943. When the couple arrived in Eagle Grove, Raymond was first employed as a truck driver making gas deliveries for the Chapman Oil Company. He later changed his occupation doing masonry work for Maynard McCollough's privately owned business. Raymond, before ill health forced early retirement in 1979, completed his working years employed by the Farmers' Co-op Elevator, Eagle Grove. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove.

Raymond Thurmond Sr. died December 1, 1989 at the Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, after an extended illness. He was 72.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Ruth; and a sister, Bessie Echelberger, Dows. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, Eagle Grove; two sons, Raymond Jr., Des Moines; and Dennis Sr., Eagle Grove; two daughters, Janis Zatloukal, Clear Lake; and Debra Asmus, St. Joseph, Mo.; four brothers, Lloyd, Fort Dodge; Harry, Canoga Park, Calif.;, Clifford, Webster City; and Everrett, Williams; five sisters, Ada Banks, Nellie Adams, Ethyl Kunkel, all of Eagle Grove; and Leatha Kinsey, Upland, Calif.; and Verdell Correll, Sweetwater, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 4, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove, with the Rev. Scott C. Hall officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove. Kastler-Babcock Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, December 6, 1989

Contributor: Sarah Thorson Little (50197235)