Thurston Delane Muskelly Sr.

peacefully on December 24, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. He was born in Union,

South Carolina on April 12, 1933. Thurston was the second of four children; born to

the loving parents, Edward “ED” Muskelly and Eloise Talley Muskelly. He accepted

Christ at an early age.

Thurston was educated in the Public Schools of Rowan County, North Carolina

and was a graduate of J.C. Price High School, Salisbury, North Carolina. After

graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Korean War on the

USS. Albany. While serving in the US Navy, Thurston was stationed in Pensacola,

Florida and where he met the love of his life, Joyce Carlene Andrews.

On the 10th day of July, 1954. Thurston married his sweetheart, Joyce Carlene

Andrews in Lucedale, Mississippi. From this union, a Son Thurston Edward Muskelly

was born in 1955.

In 1960, Thurston and Joyce relocated to Seattle, WA. Thurston became employed at

the Seattle’s US Public Hospital for 29 years as a Mechanical Engineer. While

working at the Seattle’s US Public Hospital, Thurston received a Certificate of

Completion in Labor Law. In 1970-1981, Thurston became the First African

American President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Local Union 1170.

As President of the (AFGE) Local Union 1170, representing employees of Seattle’s

United States Public Health Service Hospital, Thurston D. Muskelly Sr. was a

founding member and leader of the Public Health Care Coalition, a grassroots

organization that waged a twelve-year battle to save the landmark hospital on Beacon

Hill. In that capacity, he worked closely with Senator Warren Magnuson and lobbied

in the halls of Congress on behalf of the hospital’s patients and employees. In 1980,

the Coalition Thurston helped to lead convinced the City Government to create a

public development authority to take over the hospital from the Federal Government,

and fought successfully for the transfer of the hospital to local control. As a result of

the work of Thurston and his compatriots, the successor organization (Pacific Medical

Centers) provides health care to more than 100,000 Seattle-area residents, and the

hospital building houses Seattle Central College’s health care training programs, as

well as fourteen other public and non-profit programs.

For those that worked with him, Thurston was more than a leader; he was a teacher, a

friend, and an inspiration.

After retiring from Seattle’s US Public Hospital; in 1998 Thurston and Joyce became

faithful members of the Central Area Senior Citizen Center. Because of his love for

politics and serving the community; from 2014 to 2018, Thurston served as Board

President of Central Area Senior Citizen and Central Area Development Association.

After serving in this position; he continued to raise funds for the Central Area Center.

Thurston received many Service Awards for his dedicated work at the Center; as well

as, in the Community.

Later years, Thurston continue to serving his community; and became one of the

founding members of the Free Clinics. He immediately had key roles to the rebuilding

of Powell Barnett and Flo Ware Parks, and later, received a Key to the City of Seattle,

marking his birthday April 12th as an official day.

Thurston and Joyce celebrated 64 memorable years together, before she passed in

2019.

Thurston was proceeded in death by his parents: Edward “ED” Muskelly and

Eloise Talley-Muskelly; and his devoted wife of 64 years Joyce Carlene Muskelly;

Twin Daughters Eloise and Loise Muskelly; Sisters: Grace Muskelly and Rosemelle

Witherspoon; and his Brother: James Fletcher Muskelly, and God-Son Milton Burns.

Thurston leaves to cherish his memory: his son, Thurston Edward Muskelly

(Cheryl); Grandchildren: Terrele Edward Davis (Dawnet), Thurston Delane Muskelly

II, Chelsea Muskelly-James (William); Great Grandchildren: Anayas Mariah Davis,

Terrele Edward Davis Jr., and Liam Legend James; Adopted Daughter: Bella Richi

(Nephew Donald), Godchildren: Bertha Morris, Darren A. Wilson (Nephew

Dezmond), Shannyn Davis Griffin, LaTanya Davis, LaCaisa Davis Ebron and a host

of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A reception for Thurston will be held Monday, January 16, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Muskelly family.