Donald Fred Thurston

Mr. Donald Fred Thurston, age 79, of Murray, Kentucky, died Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Thurston was born November 27, 1934, in Chattanooga, Tn., to the late Donald H. Thurston and Mary Elizabeth Smith Dalton. He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, and served during the Vietnam War as a Chief Warrant officer. He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, was a Mason, and had worked at the Murray Calloway County Hospital as a Security Guard, and attended the First Baptist Church of Murray.
Survivors include his wife Hermalene Godfrey Thurston of Murray, Ky., they married December 7, 1953 in Rossville, Ga. It was love at first sight when Hermalene first saw Fred after his recruitment to the Rossville Georgia Bulldogs. Their subsequent marriage survived numerous moves with Fred's career in the U.S. Coast Guard with retirement in Murray, Kentucky. Their many friends fondly recall his generous and fun loving nature. Also surviving is one daughter, Vicki Anderson of Murray, one son, Donald F. Thurston II of St. Louis, Mo., three sisters, Barbara Jean Walker of Murfreesboro, Tn., Sue Ellen Quimuyog and husband Regino of Murfreesboro, Tn., and Delores Lord of Chattanooga, Tn., two grandchildren, Pamela Anderson of Murray, and Annette Kimball and husband Brian of Honolulu, Ha., also four great grandchildren, Aila and Penelope Kimball both of Honolulu, Ha., Anderson Cates of Nashville, Tn., and Liam Fredrick Swain of Murray.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded by his grandparents, Harry "Uncle Smitty" Smith and Annie Smith, also Charles H. and Laura Thurston, sister, Mary Alice Peterson, brother, Edgar Lee Dalton, also mother in law, Grace Godfrey.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Rev. Kerry Lambert will officiate, and burial with Military rites will be held 12:00 noon, at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, in Hopkinsville, Ky., Visitation will be held Sunday, December 22, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Masonic services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Expressions of sympathy may go to; Murray Calloway Co. Hospital Hospice House Building Fund 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Ky. 42071, of your favorite charity in memory of Mr. Thurston.
Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com