Marshall Spencer Thurman

Marshall Spencer Thurman, age 35, devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend, unexpectedly passed away on May 22, 2018. Spencer was born in Dallas and resided in the Mesquite/Sunnyvale area during his early years, where he attended and graduated from Dallas Christian School, and made many lifelong friends. Spencer attended Texas Tech University, earning a Construction Engineering degree in 2006. Upon graduation, he returned to Dallas to begin a career in the construction industry.

Spencer’s early years were filled with baseball, learning to hunt deer and quail with his dad, fishing and travel adventures, including skiing and snowboarding with his mom. Great memories were made fishing with friends in South Padre during the summers.

In 2008, Spencer joined the family owned business, Glenn Thurman Inc. (GTI). He began by working on projects in the field and subsequently moved to project manager of TXDOT highway, NTAA tollway and regional airport projects. Later, as Vice President of Operations, Spencer managed and coordinated field operations for projects all over the Metroplex.

Spencer became a father in 2005 with the birth of his first child, Brooklyn Cade. As a young father, Spencer embraced his new role in life and put his heart and soul into raising his son. Spencer flourished as a loving and devoted father to Brooklyn, who was his best friend.

Spencer married Ashley Ball, the love of his life, in 2014. Spencer, Ashley and Brooklyn formed a strong bond as a family. Last September, Spencer and Ashley welcomed their beautiful first born, Davis Marshall, into the family. Spencer was overjoyed at the birth of another son and was committed to his family. Spencer took extreme pride in his family and cherished the time they spent together. He found joy coaching, watching Brooklyn play sports and taking long walks with Davis and Ashley.

In his adult years, Spencer continued to be an avid outdoorsman, with a passion for hunting and fishing and he also learned and developed a love for bow hunting. In his spare time, Spencer could be found fly fishing on the coast, deep sea fishing with his family, at his family’s ranch in South Texas or sheep hunting in the Northwest Territories. He also cherished many fond memories of wing shooting adventures in Mexico and South America with his dad. Spencer enjoyed sharing his love of nature and the outdoors with Brooklyn and Davis. Recently, Spencer and Ashley experienced a rugged and successful West Texas Aoudad sheep hunt together, creating lasting memories and great stories. Spencer also enjoyed shooting sports as a member of the Dallas Gun Club and the Rockwall Gun Club.

Spencer had a passion for music, enjoyed playing the guitar and attending local concerts with friends.

We are so grateful to have had Spencer in our lives, as we cherish his quick wit, great argument and negotiating skills, warm soul, loving and easy nature, kind spirit, friendliness, amazing gift of conversation, 'make it happen' positive attitude and his beautiful comforting hugs. Spencer touched many lives through his career, personal relationships, membership in Highland Park United Methodist Church and his children’s communities – he will be missed, but not forgotten.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Marshall and Peggy Thurman, and Marvin and Barbara Leverington.

He is survived by his wife, Ashley Thurman; sons, Brooklyn and Davis Thurman; father, Glenn and wife, Sherri Thurman; mother, Vivian Leverington; sister, Leslie Miller, and husband, Jared; nephew, Preston, and niece, Ryan Miller; sister, Payton Thurman; parents-in-law, Mike and Pam Ball; brother-in-law, Grant Ball.

Visitation Tuesday, May 29, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 30, at 12:00 noon at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75225. Private graveside in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Donations in Spencer’s name may be made to Park Cities Quail, 25 Highland Park Village, Suite 200-417, Dallas, Texas 75205 or please contact [email protected].