James Thurman

James (Jim) K. Thurman, 82, of Concord, passed away peacefully January 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He courageously faced a long battle with Alzheimer's with commendable strength. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was fun-loving, generous, and kind to everyone he met.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 31st, at Forest Hill United Methodist Church, 265 Union St. N., Concord, NC. The family will receive friends 12-2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.

Jim was born in Wichita, Kansas, December 7, 1942, to the late Orville Willis and Shirley Lorraine Heisey Thurman. He was a graduate of Harper High School and attended Southwestern College, Wichita State University, and UNC-Charlotte where he completed his BA in History.

Jim met the love of his life, Doris (Dori), in 1963 while attending an international student conference at the University of Ohio, Athens. He followed Doris to North Carolina and in October, 1964 they were married. Their marriage of 60 years was a testament to their devotion, respect and love of one another.

Besides being a devoted husband, he was also the greatest father to his two daughters. When they were young, he loved reading stories to them using different voices for each character, and would often carry them up to bed until they were literally too large for his back. He was the kind of father who never missed an event or school activity. He always helped them and supported them in all their endeavors. His loving and encouraging nature extended to his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and teaching them new things.

Jim had a hard-working nature with a diverse work career. Early on in Concord, he worked for David Drye Real Estate Co. and later branched out on his own with Jim Thurman Realty. He took pride in helping young couples find and purchase their first home. Later, he worked as a draftsman for Harris Teeter, Bob McLemore & Co. and Concord Engineering Co. The last fifteen years he spent at Central Piedmont Community College where he really found his niche working with students.

Jim was a behind-the-scenes type person who was often found helping someone through a tough time. He always had a listening ear, a smile and a kind word of encouragement.

Jim loved all types of music, dancing, and camping trips with his family. He enjoyed collecting and had a gifted eye for spying treasures of the past with rare beauty and design. He loved sharing stories with antique dealers, collectors, or anyone with an appreciation of history. As an extension of this passion, he found a hobby he enjoyed, managing a booth at the Antique Mall in Kannapolis, NC. He loved books and was an avid reader and a walking encyclopedia; always a source of information for any family member who had a question. He was a good writer and conversationalist, never missing an opportunity for a clever play on words. He was full of wisdom, intellect, and dry humor with a love of history, art and antiques.

Jim was a member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Concord.

Jim is survived by his wife, Doris (Dori) Davis Thurman; daughters, Susan (Mike) Slade, Lisa (Todd) Fullerton; sisters Marcia (Mike) Calvert of Wichita, KS and Kathy (Rolland) Hostetler of Mountain Home, AR; and grandchildren, Henry, Maggie and Levi Slade and Fisher, Patrick and Sadie Fullerton; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

The family wishes to thank the Alzheimer's Memory Center (Charlotte, NC), Coltrane LIFE Center, Inc. (Concord, NC), Tender Heart Adult Care Services, LLC (Concord, NC), St. Andrews Living Center (Concord, NC), and Transitional Health Services (Kannapolis, NC) for their love and care of Jim on his Alzheimer's journey. Our hearts will always be grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Coltrane LIFE Center, Inc., 321 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, NC 28025 or Forest Hill United Methodist Church, Good Samaritan Fund, 265 Union St. N., Concord, NC 28025.