He grew up in the hills of Kentucky. He attended Prestonsburg High School and joined the United States Air Force. He served as an electrician from 1956 to 1959 and served an additional four years with the Air Force Reserves before being honorably discharged. He married his wife, Frankie Burchett, in Prestonsburg, Ky., on Feb. 4, 1961. The pair spent 62 years together before his passing.

He and Frankie moved to Indiana and had three children: Randy, Anita, and Tony. He worked for many years at Choretime Brock in Milford, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing for BlueGill and enjoying family time at the lake cottage on Shoe Lake. He was also a huge vegetable gardener. He was a prepper who enjoyed canning food. You could also catch him listening to bluegrass music. His family will remember hm for his famous jalapeno cornbread. He was also a fan of University of Kentucky Wildcat Basketball.

Thurston will be remembered by his loving wife of 62 years: Frankie, who survives; daughter: Anita (Donnie) Gest, Warsaw; son: Tony Blackburn, Leesburg; grandchildren: Travis Blackburn, Cody Champion, Luke Champion, Jacob Blackburn, and Colten Coburn; great-grandchildren: Kynlee, Russell, and Emmy Jo; and siblings: Alma (Jim Potter) Reynolds and Lucille Burchett.

In addition, he was survived by his dog, Roscoe, who was a very important part of the family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Randy Blackburn; a grandson: Chase Blackburn; and a brother: Thurman Blackburn.

A Life Celebration® is planned for Thurston at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse, 1001 S. Huntington St. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the funeral home. Pastor Glenn Hall will officiate the service with interment in Syracuse Cemetery.

Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Syracuse, is handling arrangements.