September 21 2017: THURMAN, Dennis D.

Dennis Dean Thurman (Age 86)

Dennis Thurman, amazing son, devoted father, loving brother, supportive uncle, attentive grandfather, and longtime resident of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on September 13, 2017.   Dennis was born on a farm in North English, Iowa in 1931, one of eight children to Willard “Dad” Thurman and Violet Booth Thurman.  Dennis proudly served his country in the USMC during the Korean conflict from 1952 to 1954 and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1958. He worked as an electrical engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in White Oak, MD for close to 30 years.  Dennis’ children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews were the pride and joy of his life.  The legacy of his kind spirit, passion for sports, love of reading, and zest for life will live on through them.  Dennis was an accomplished gardener, extraordinary fisherman, superb chess player, dexterous cook, student of history, and had a passion for learning and sharing everything he could. Dennis was also a student of the English language and could provide a definition for just about any word you offered him.  Dennis enjoyed life, family members, and many friends. Dennis was always there to brighten the lives of others with his pleasing dry sense of humor.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Audrey; sons David, Dan, Sam and Carl; grandchildren Isaiah, Jack, Lydia, Owen, Riley, and Maeve; brother Thomas; sisters Karolyn and Phyllis; stepchildren Catherine, Carol, William, and Connie; seven stepgrandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, September 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. where funeral service will be held at 1 p.m.  Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the SEMPER FI Fund at www.semperfifund.org, which provides financial assistance and support to injured members of the United States armed forces.