Odell Thurman

Floyd Odell Thurman age 78 of Dayton and formerly of Red Bank died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 in Rhea Medical Center. Odell was born in Rhea County on June 18, 1932 and was preceded in death by his father Allen Thurman and his brother Tommy.
Odell retired as a maintenance engineer for J.C. Penney and was a member and past president of the White Oak Lions Club. Odell lived in Red Bank from 1955 until 2003 and while there he was a member of the White Oak Baptist Church. Since returning to Dayton in 2003 he was a member of the New Union Baptist Church. He served his country with the US Army during the Korean War.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norene (Harris) Thurman of Dayton, his mother, Erma (Thomas) Thurman of Dayton, three sons, Steve Thurman of Nashville, Stan (Shonda) Thurman of Signal Mountain, Brian (Brigette) Thurman of Ooltewah, two brothers, John (Joyce) Thurman of Cookeville, Hoyal Thurman of Sale Creek, five sisters, Virginia Ferguson of Dayton, Anna (Bill) Aslinger of Sale Creek, Aileen(Melvin) Wilkey of Dayton, Jane (Neal) Stultz of Dayton, June (Jim) Poole of Evensville and five grandchildren, Caroline, Allen, Collin, Daniel and Josh.
Funeral services for Odell will be held Friday afternoon at 1:00pm in the funeral home chapel with his pastor, Dr. Danny Ruehling officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Spence Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bob Moody, Jay Hassler, Andy Stultz, Kevin Poole, Mike Brown and Gary Cooper.
Please share your memories of Odell on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .
The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home where they will receive friends Thursday after 4:00pm.