Thurman Louis Shurtleff's Obituary
On July 25, 2017, Thurman Louis Shurtleff committed his soul to the safe keeping of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thurman was born February 1, 1933 in Colorado City, Texas of a mother he never knew and Earnest Searcy Shurtleff, a blacksmith. He was raised in Buckner Orphans Home, a Texas Southern Baptist Orphanage in Dallas, Texas. In April of 1944 he was baptized as a Christian by his pastor, Brother Hal F. Buckner. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, obtaining a BS degree in Secondary Education. His post-graduate Master’s work was in Business Financial Management at George Washington University in Washington, D. C. Having been a member of the R.O.T.C., he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Medical Service Corp. He spent the next 22 years as a Health Care Administrator with the Army, retiring from the Office of The Secretary of the Army in November 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Post his military career he remained employed as a Health Care Administrator in the Washington D.C. area for thirteen years, retiring the second time in May of 1991 to fight his battle with cancer. Winning that battle, he and Karen moved to Carlsbad, NM in August 1998. For the next seven and a half years he worked as a volunteer consultant with Landsun Home, a Methodist institution caring for independent living residents, assisted living residents and nursing home residents. He assisted in the development of a hospice environment during that period of time. In addition to his work with Landsun he also became involved in local civic activities and the political arena. In August of 2005 he and Karen decided to finally retire to The Villages, Florida, moving in December of 2005. For his next four years or so he volunteered as a consultant with TV Hospital Administrator’s Citizen Advisory Committee. Until his death he continued his volunteer work with the local Parrot Heads Club primarily in the area of Charity Committee work.
Preceding Thurman in death were a brother, Truman George Shurtleff of Virginia Beach, VA in January 2000; an older sister, Thelma Howell of Friendswood, Texas in 2009; and a younger sister, Gina Allen of Big Spring, Texas in 2007. Thurman is survived by the love and helpmate of his life, his wife, Karen Elizabeth George of Homer City, PA. Also surviving him are three boys; Kelly O’Neil Shurtleff of Sadler, Texas; Russell Derek Shurtleff and family of Charlotte, NC; and Jon Lee Shurtleff and family of Sadler, Texas; as well as a step-daughter, Monna Despinis of Tampa, Florida. He leaves behind three granddaughters, Ashley Shurtleff, Brianna Shurtleff, and Carly Shurtleff of Winston Salem, NC and a step granddaughter, Logan Shurtleff of Sadler, Texas. Along with his brother-in-law, Rocky Wayne Allen of Big Spring, Texas, he also leaves behind two nephews, Kerry and Kirk Allen and families, also of Big Spring, Texas; and a niece, LaRoyce Coy of Friendswood, Texas. Colonel Shurtleff was a life time member of the D.A.V. and a member of M.O.A.A. At the time of his death he carried the “moniker” 100% Disabled Vietnam Veteran.
Officiating in funeral and internment services will be Jim Charleton, a Christian neighbor and friend. Internment with military services will take place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Donations may be made to the All One Family, Inc. Wildwood Scholarship Program, 1693 Anthem Road, The Villages, FL 32162. These scholarships provide new graduates of Wildwood High School a way to attend a tech school to receive certifications and degrees that will provide them with a career for a lifetime and they will be debt free upon graduation. All One Family, Inc. pays 100% of all costs. This project was so dear to Thurman’s heart. Donations may also be made to The Villages Regional Hospital for their Scholarship Fund. The address is The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation Health Care Scholarship Fund, 1501 N. US Hwy 441, Suite 1829, The Villages, FL 32159. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.
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