Robert Dave Thurman

Robert Dave Thurman, of Big Creek West-Lake Limestone, passed away Monday, January 4, 2016, following his battle with Parkinsons for the past six years. He was 75. Visitation will begin at Groesbeck Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, prior to the funeral. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Tracy Sims of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton and Chaplain Jon Honea officiating. Mrs. Barbara Walker will be the vocalist. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Collett, Vincent Thurman, Jeff Sims, Blaine Douglas, Luke Ramsey, Greg Scherbenske, Al Stephens, and Dennis Smith. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be “The Brazos River Rats,” Dick Weaver, Wayne Brueggerman, Richard Farrington, Vernon Laird, James Slovacek, Clive Frazer, Joe Haupt, and Cecil Bobbitt. Robert was born February 12, 1940 in Houston to Marshall John Thurman and Ocie Ray (Henderson) Thurman. He graduated from Austin High School in Houston, and attended Stephen F. Austin College for two years. Robert and his friend decided to join the U. S. Army wanting to drive tanks; however, his military service was in the mail room. Robert worked as a machinist and had a machine shop in Houston. He sold his share of the business in 1981 and moved with his wife Barbara Adams Thurman to Groesbeck. Robert planted forty-four acres of peaches in the Rocky Point community and he and Barbara opened B & B Peach Orchard and Nursery. Robert became very knowledgeable of the industry from agriculture seminars which he attended at Texas A&M. He planted fourteen varieties which were all hand-picked and hand processed. After Barbara passed away in 1992, Robert continued with the peaches for many more years. Robert was united in marriage with Welda (McCandless) Sims on March 10, 1993, and they lived in her home on Big Creek West. Welda helped Robert with the processing and sale of the peaches at the local fruit stand, as well as delivery to upscale speciality grocery stores in Houston, Tomball and Magnolia. He let the grandchildren sell peaches at Traders Village in Houston to earn school money. Robert loved fishing, and when he decided to retire from the peach business he could fish full-time, especially in the spring time when he was previously busy with peaches. He loved to go out in the boat at Lake Limestone and he and Welda spent six weeks each year at Port Aransas with the kids all coming during some of their vacation there. Robert (“Robbie” to the grandkids and “Brows” to his high school “River Rats” friends) was a good husband, loved his step children like they were his own. He enjoyed teaching the grandchildren and great grandchildren how to work in the peach orchard and how to enjoy life fishing. He was a friendly person who would talk fishing all day. He loved his cats, with Callie which passed away before him and Sami still looking all over the house for him. Robert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Barbara; and his brother, Marshall Ray Thurman. He is survived by his wife, Welda Sims Thurman of Big Creek West; his stepchildren and their families: Adam and Sue Collett and family of Groesbeck; Bil and Cindy Blake and family of Chandler; Alan and LaDonna Collett and family of Odessa; James W. and Sherry Sims and family of Houston; and Dennis R. and Janice Sims and family of Friendswood; and his sister-in-law, Connie Thurman and her family of Groesbeck. A SPECIAL thanks to our loving sister in law, Gloria Oswalt of Big Creek West for her continued support and DAILY help in caring for Robert during this past 6 years of illness. Thanks for your love, daily help, and many driving trips to doctor’s appointments. Donations in Robert’s memory may be made by anyone wishing to do so to Robert’s favorite charity, Wounded Warriors (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate.)