James Robert Thurman 74 of Phoenix, passed away on November 6, 2011. He was born on December 17, 1936 in Louisville, KY to parents Francis and Evelyn Thurman who have preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty Jo and children Travis Thurman (Carolyn) of Chandler, AZ, Greg Magness (Michelle) of Litchfield Park, AZ and Patty Wagner (Allan) of Dayton, OH, 5 grandchildren, Ben Thurman, Glen and Kevin Magness, Tara and Ian Wagner, 2 great-grandchildren, Ayanna and Andrew Magness, sister Shirley McCrary of Louisville, KY, niece Deborah McDonald of Louisville, KY, sister-in-law Deborah Saavedra of Peoria, AZ and his special adopted family Chris, Larry, Ashley, Justin and Nicholas Galaviz of Huachuca City, AZ. He was retired from the United States Air Force and the City of Phoenix. He will be laid to rest in the Veterans Field of Honor at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:00 AM at Greenwood Mortuary Chapel, 719 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix. Services will follow at 11:00 AM. Donations in his memory can be made to the Arizona Humane Society.
