Harold Wayne Thurman

Harold W. Thurman, 71, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025.

He was born on January 20, 1954, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Melvin and Virgie (Tidrick) Thurman.

In May 1955, Harold's parents purchased his Great Grandparents farm northwest of Reydon, Oklahoma, and moved the family to the land. Harold grew up there and attended Reydon Public Schools where he played basketball, baseball, took part in school activities such as his Junior and Senior plays, and was an active Reydon 4-H Club member. While living in Reydon, Harold was a member of the Reydon United Methodist Church and attended regularly with his family. He graduated from Reydon High School in 1972.

He attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he played intramural baseball and worked at Ratcliffe’s bookstore. When he graduated in 1976 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Medical Records.

Harold was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas from 1976 until about 2003. He also worked for Brookwood Liquor where he gained more friends, including Martin Gomez.

Harold enjoyed fishing, golfing, and, most of all, spending time with his grandkids. He also loved John Wayne westerns, The Beach Boys, and was always up for a great comedy. Harold always had great stories about growing up on the family farm in Reydon, Oklahoma which were always entertaining. The family enjoyed reminiscing with him as he cooked delicious meals and shared his stories. Harold’s laugh was infectious, always making others around him laugh too.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin (February 13, 1998) and Virgie (September 24, 2007) Thurman and stepdaughter Vanessa Eichorn (March 14, 2021).

Harold married Marika Cook in August 1996. She survives. Other survivors include his sisters, Melvena Heisch and husband John (Oklahoma City, OK) and Charlotte Thurman (Oklahoma City, OK), son, Derek Thurman (Topeka, KS),daughter, Amanda Pfannenstiel and husband Matt(Overbrook, KS), stepdaughter Camille Shump and husband Tomas (Atchison, KS), grandchildren Antonya, Wyatt, Maddison, Adrian, and James, Niece Laura Marie Rivera, husband Hector and son Ben (Maize, KS), and Nephew John Nance (Oklahoma City, OK) as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

The family will remember Harold and scatter his ashes near the creek on the Thurman Family Farm this summer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the White Rose Cemetery Association and should be mailed to White Rose Cemetery Association, Care of: Rebecca Leonard, 17196 E. 970 Rd., Reydon, OK 73660.

To share a memory of Harold or leave a special message for his family, visit the guestbook below.