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James Thurmond Sr.
CHARLESTON, Mo. — James Moore Thurmond Sr., age 85, a resident of Charleston, died Monday, May 7, 2018, at his home in Naples, Fla.
He was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Charleston, at the family home on North Main Street, to James Dennis and Margaret Stephens Thurmond. At the age of 13 he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was, at that time, the youngest recipient nationwide. He graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, Minn., and then attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Chemistry and Mathematics. In 1952, following his enlistment with the Marine Corps, he returned to Charleston and started farming. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Charleston.
On Dec. 31, 1954, he married Nancy Shelby who survives of Charleston.
Also surviving are two children, Margaret (T. Barton) Weiss of Tampa, Fla., and Jimmy (Nicky) Thurmond of Charleston; and three grandchildren, Thomas Barton Weiss of Tampa and James Thurmond III and Sarah Shelby Thurmond of Charleston.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Joella Moore Thurmond.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Charleston from noon until the service hour at 1 p.m. Reginald Young of Charleston will serve as eulogist, and the Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor of the United Methodist Church, will officiate.
Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be: Clay Shelby, Roy Shelby, John Story, Shelby Story, Lee Story, Craig Sutton, James Marshall, Karl Marshall, David Brewer and Bill Brewer.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.
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Memorial Contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834.
Paid obituary