Donald Albert Thurston Sr.

Donald Albert Thurston, Sr., 97, passed away in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 19, 2022. He was a graduate of Murphy High School, Class of 1941, where he was inducted into the National Honor Society and was a member of the Aviation Club. Mr. Thurston completed many college courses through Auburn University, University of South Carolina, and University of Alabama – Mobile. He enlisted with the United States Army Air Force during World War II, and was stationed at Polebroke Airfield in England. He was a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on B-17 Bombers in the 8th Air Force, 351st Bomb Group, 508th Squadron – completing 40 bombing missions. Mr. Thurston was stationed at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, TX during the Korean Conflict, in which time he served as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on B-29 Bombers. He retired as an Industrial Engineering Technician from Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA. Mr. Thurston was a former member of Fulton Heights Methodist Church and Irvington Methodist Church. He was Scout Master of Troop 115 with the Boy Scouts of America. In his free time, he loved fishing in the Mobile waterways as well as on Dauphin Island.

He was preceded in death by his wife, June Boughton Thurston; parents, Albert S. Thurston and Maude J. Thurston; a sister, Dorothy J. Garretson; and one brother, Herbert D. Thurston.

Mr. Thurston is survived by his two sons, David S. Thurston and Donald A. Thurston, Jr. (Libby); five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other cherished family and friends.

A private graveside service was held for family in Pine Crest Cemetery.