Obituary: Darve C. Thurgood

Darve C. Thurgood 1925 ~ 2006 WASHINGTON and SYRACUSE, UT - Darve C. Thurgood, age 81, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2006, from complications of numerous strokes in the past six years. He was born April 5, 1925, the first of two sons of Ira P. and Ruby C. Thurgood, in Syracuse, Utah. Darve married his high school sweetheart, Mable Golightly June 29, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children, Lewis (Lynda) of Morgan, UT, Marcia (Stanley) Hamblin of Syracuse, UT, and Reed (Cris T.) of Rigby, ID. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; Shelly, Stephanie, Lance, Mon-ica, Brooke, Heather, Haley, Landon, and Jennifer. Twenty-two wonderful great-grandchildren were added to the family. Darve and Mable worked side by side all their married life, building garages, houses, farming for his father, gardening, putting up bushels of fruit and vegetables on the food dryer he designed and built, always enjoying each other's company. Darve lived all his life in Syracuse. They spent 30 winters in Mesa, AZ, then bought a home in Washington City, UT, to be closer to Syracuse. This home became their permanent home due to lower altitude and milder weather. Darve was an active member of the LDS Church and was a high priest in the Washington 2nd Ward. He and Mable served a two year stake mission. He was a ward clerk for six years and held many responsible positions in leadership and teaching. Darve enjoyed many years as a home teacher. Darve served briefly in the Navy during World War II, receiving a medical discharge. He served in the Syracuse City Fire Department as a volunteer fireman for nearly 25 years, and has a lifetime membership in the Utah State Fireman's Association. The Naval supply Depot and Hill Air Force Base was his employer for 37 years. Darve was known as a master craftsman by his fellow employees in the Wood Mill at HAFB. He and his father built a garage and service station the first year Mable and Darve were married, then doubled it in size the second year. It was known as the Roy Miya Garage for 41 years, and is still in operation as Paul's Auto; Thurgood Plbing shop came later. Darve had a woodworking shop and made beautiful rocking horses and doll cradles, which the great-grandchildren are still enjoying. A summer home was built at Soldier Creek on Strawberry Lake more than 30 years ago, and is still being used by the family who like to fish. Darve was an excellent marksman, with his old NRA rifle. One fatal shot and he had meat for the winter. He really liked his guided hunting and fishing trips in Alaska, Northern British Columbia, Wyoming, Arizona, and Colorado. Darve believed in living a little as you go along life's highway. They went on several cruise ships, traveled to Europe, 11 countries, and Mexico on archeological tour, Hawaii several times, and Alaska by driving the highway, cruising, or flying. Thank you Darve, for nearly 62 years of a wonderful life. We worked hard, played along the way and accomplished many things. But the best of the best we did was to have a wonderful, caring family. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 10, 2006, 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. and Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery. Special thanks to Dr. Nimer and Dr. Warner, the Hurricane Beehive Home staff, and Applegate Hospice for their compassionate and caring service.