Douglas E Thurman

Douglas Ellsworth Thurman was born to Gladys and Joel Thurman on August 13th, 1937 in Iowa City Iowa. He was the eighth of ten children. He grew up in Fertile Minnesota, and his childhood was spent working on the farm (dairy and crops) with his brothers and sisters. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church and attended school in Fertile through high school.

Doug enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 and served for four years, being stationed at Nellis AFB in Nevada, as well as a year and a half in England. He was a vehicle operator and achieved the rank of Airman First Class. Doug received a Good Conduct Medal during his service.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Doug came to Omaha Nebraska to live with his brothers and start his life a civilian. He lived briefly in Papillion, NE before moving to Ralston, NE. Doug worked as a mechanic and subsequently service manager at H&H Chevrolet, while holding a second job at Mobile Oil in Ralston.

It was at the gas station in Ralston that Doug met Helen in 1965 (formally introduced by Jim and Barb Klaudt), and after only two dates informed her that he’d marry her one day. He was right, and in July 1966 they were married and settled in Ralston. Their early married life was a balance of working hard all week and enjoying weekends with the Thurman brothers and their wives (including introducing brother Jack to wife Cathy), as well as good friends the Klaudt’s and Adamson’s.

In 1970 Doug started his career as a truck driver, working for Mobile, Warren Douglas, Pacesetter, and eventually Herman Brothers. He continued to work as a mechanic in his ‘free time’. During the 70s and 80s Doug enjoyed deer hunting, camping, fishing, motorcycles, and he also started ‘tinkering’ with tractors, which would become his lifelong hobby. A highlight for Doug during this time was a fishing trip to Canada in 1984 with all six Thurman brothers, spending a week on a houseboat (and surely misbehaving!)

Doug took great joy in being a dad. He wanted to share what he knew, and he had the patience to teach it. He instilled a strong work ethic, but to remember that there is always room for fun, and to not take yourself too seriously. He put in countless hours at softball games, music performances and academic functions, and he was extremely proud of his ‘little kid’. Though Diane was his only child, Doug also had numerous surrogate kids (Diane’s friends) who spent time at the house and whom he and Helen took on camping trips and vacations (always driving, of course).

Doug loved to give people nicknames, and it’s likely that many who are reading this have received their own special nickname from Doug. Rumor has it that his nickname, ‘Porky’, came from daughter Diane sometime in the early 1980s, and was possibly related to his behavior at a meal. What started as a joke was fully embraced by Doug, and he has been known as Porky ever since.

After retiring from Herman Brothers in 1989, Porky immersed himself in his hobby of buying and refurbishing antique tractors. He and Helen attended farm auctions, which they both enjoyed (and Helen learned a thing or two about tractors, as well!). Porky’s crown jewel was his “Building”, which he built with help of his brothers and friends, and it housed his tractors and everything he needed to work on his tractors, as well as many, many other treasures. He was immensely proud of what he had built and spent countless hours working there, which made him immensely happy. Passersby the building were assured to see Porky’s beloved dogs by his side and to hear his favorite music by Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, or Fats Domino. Dancing might have been involved, depending on the time of day. (Speaking of dancing, it would be remiss not to mention the decennial PORKY PARTY. Beginning with his 50th birthday, and every 10 years thereafter, an epic party was held at Doug and Helen’s [in or near the Building], which brought friends and family from near and far to celebrate all things Doug. Parties included giant tents, pig roasts, lots of dancing, and even his daughter’s engagement!)

Along with tractors, Porky started some ‘add on’ hobbies, including wood splitting and hauling (with good friend Art Dall), mowing (using tractors) for local businesses, and fishing with brother Russ (which might have included some friendly wagering). In recent years, his favorite transportation at home was his gator (usually with dogs onboard). Doug also acquired a new (and possibly his favorite) nickname, as he became ‘Grandpa Porky’ to granddaughter Lydia, and he looked forward to all her visits from Texas.

Doug had a strong faith in God and attended St. Gerald’s Catholic Church in Ralston. He was deeply patriotic and was proud to have served in the armed forces. He loved and cherished his family more than anything.

Doug was preceded in death by parents Joel and Gladys Thurman, brothers Al and Russ Thurman, and sister Ardith LaRue. He is survived by wife of 55 years, Helen, daughter Diane (David) Chavez, granddaughter Lydia Chavez, brothers and sisters Dale Thurman, Bob Thurman, Jack Thurman (Cathy), Irene Keeling, Celia Johnson, Joan Brothers, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends.