John Lawrence Thurman

John Lawrence Thurman, a resident of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was born May 20, 1940 in Van Buren, Arkansas, a son of Lawrence and Dorothy (Echols) Thurman. He departed this life Monday, February 11, 2013 in Eureka Springs, Ark. at the age of 72 years. John proudly served in the United States Navy during Peacetime. He was a motel owner/operator of the Apple Blossom Inn and Razorback Lodge. He was a member of the Faith Christian Family Church and Gideon's International. He was an avid Nascar fan always looking forward to spring and the new racing season. Go Dale Jr.!!! On March 12, 1983 he was united in marriage with Brenda Lee Trammel who survives him of the home. He is also survived by one brother, Charles Ray Thurman & wife Linda of Eureka Springs, Ark.; two step-sisters, Jan & husband Jim Berry of Las Cruces, N.M.; Debbie & husband Mike Hudson of Underhill, Vt.; two nephews, Scot & wife Robyn Thurman of Eureka Springs, Ark.; Jeff Thurman of San Francisco, Calif.; father-in-law, Paul Trammel of Eureka Springs, Ark.; sister-in-law, Sheri & husband Charlie Smith of Berryville, Ark.; brother-in-law, Darrell & wife Brenda Trammel of Eureka Springs, Ark.; one niece, Alison Eevanna Smith of Berryville, Ark.; one great-nephew, Matthew Thurman; one great-niece, Lila Thurman, both of Eureka Springs, Ark.; former sister-in-law, Christy Parker of Berryville, Ark.; several cousins and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Dorothy Thurman, two step-mothers, Faye Wakefield Thurman & Jane Thurman, and sister-in-law, Patricia Thurman. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Nelson's Chapel of the Springs. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the Faith Christian Family Church with Reverend William Hughart and Reverend Marvin Peterson officiating. Interment will follow at the Eureka Springs Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be sent to the Academy of Excellence, 157 Huntsville Rd., Eureka Springs, Ark. 72632 or Good Shepherd Humane Society, 6486 Hwy. 62 E., Eureka Springs, Ark. 72632 or Gideon's International, P.O. Box 362, Berryville, Ark. 72616. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.