Tommy Webster Thurman, 78, of Friendswood, TX passed away with his family by his side on August 04, 2022 in Houston, TX.  Tommy was born on August 26, 1943 in Pasadena, TX to William and Mary Hellon Thurman.  He is a 1961 graduate of Jesse H. Jones High School and after high school, he began classes at the University of Houston main campus where he studied Civil Engineering Technology.  He married his high school sweetheart, Karen Ruhlman on July 24, 1965.

Tommy worked various jobs from a young age, and this helped fund his colleges classes. He chose to sit out a semester to earn more money for college and it was during this semester the U.S. had the largest draft in history.  Tommy was drafted by the Army in October 1966, completed boot camp at Fort Polk, Louisiana and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he was joined by Karen. He tested allergic to everything preventing him from deployment to Vietnam, so his engineering knowledge was used teaching electrical classes to deploying soldiers.  Tommy was honorably discharged in October 1968 and he and Karen got back home to Texas as quick as they could.  He was proud to serve his country and always said he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything however, completing his college education became more important to him than ever. In May 1972, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology.

Tommy spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry serving as a plant engineer and facilities manager in various levels and capacities. He was proud of his many accomplishments in the field and the projects he designed and led with a strong belief in doing things right the first time.  He retired from SEC Energy Products and Services in September 2013 and went on to enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.

Tommy was the proud father of daughter Heather and son Shawn and spent most of his evenings and weekends coaching and cheering their many sporting activities in their younger years. No matter how exhausted from work, he was always there. When he wasn’t attending his kids’ activities, he participated in fishing tournaments across Texas as a member of the Houston Oilman’s Bass Club.  The love of fishing was a big part of his life, and many family vacations were spent on the lakes of Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. This continued when his grandchildren (his pride and joy) came along and trips to the lake on Easter weekend were an annual tradition. He also spent hours at dance recitals, sporting events and pig shows too. Papaw loved spending time with his grandkids and knew his chances of getting ice cream increased when they were around.

Tommy and Karen have been residents of Friendswood, TX since 1973 and members of Friendswood United Methodist Church for over forty years. They are members of the Good News Sunday School class and attended many bible study series through the years. Tommy was also a member of a men’s small group which he looked forward to every Wednesday morning. He was quiet about his faith but was a deeply Christian man.  He always put his faith and trust in God and is known for saying “everything’s going to be fine” in any situation.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Hellon Thurman and his grandson Cole Gordon who we know was by Jesus’ side greeting him at the gates of heaven.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Karen; daughter, Heather Gordon and her husband Scott; son, Shawn Thurman and his wife Jana; brothers Jimmy Thurman and his wife Charlotte and David Thurman and his wife Roz; sister-in-law Sandy Bishop; granddaughters Makenna Thurman and Averi Thurman; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution to Cole Gordon’s Helping Hand Foundation where a memorial will be created at the Helping Hand Ranch in honor of his Papaw.

Tommy’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hermann Medical Center, Mark Crowder of Crowder Funeral Home and Jim Bass and the entire staff at Friendswood United Methodist Church for their care and support.  They would also like to thank family and friends who have prayed, cooked, hugged, and loved on them during this difficult time.

A memorial service for Tommy will be held in the sanctuary at Friendswood United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 10 AM with a reception immediately following in Wesley Hall at the church. The church is located at 110 N Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546.