Lt. Thurman was born February 7, 1961 in Swainsboro to Bobby Thurman and Emmie Joyce Bedgood Thurman. He was preceded in death by his mother, Emmie Joyce Bedgood Thurman; sister, Theresa Ursy.
Lt. Thurman was a life long resident of Swainsboro. He was employed with the Swainsboro Fire Department since 1988. Lt Thurman has been involved in fighting fire since the age of 16. He had many certificates such as Firefighter Module 3, Haz-Mat awareness, Alternative Teaching Methods for Fire Safety Education better known as Clown School and certificates to many to list from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. He was a member of the Georgia Firefighters Clown Society and he was the Boss Clown named Snickers. Lt. Thurman played as Santa Clause riding around on the fire truck and was active with the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation Boot Drives. He loved to joke around, liked hugs, liked to eat German chocolate cake, eat at sonic and was also the peace keeper at the station. He was always happy and wanted everyone else happy too. Lt. Thurman was always thinking of others. He had a love for children and the children were naturally drawn to him. Lt. Thurman loved his family and his extended fire dept. family. He was a member of Dellwood Baptist Church. Lt. Thurman was a man who will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Terry Scott Thurman of Swainsboro; son, Joseph Thurman of Swainsboro; daughter, August Nichole Thurman of Swainsboro; father, Bobby Thurman of Swainsboro; sister, Lisa (Don) Braswell of Laurens, SC; one niece and two nephews; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vince Scott and April Scott of Swainsboro; special niece and nephew, Colby Scott and Jaycee Scott of Swainsboro; extended family, Kip Farthing, Melissa Farthing, Mary Farthing, Carmon Lewis, Dustin Lewis, Carla Womack, Jacob Lewis, Jada Lewis and Raylin Womack all of Swainsboro; host of other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Swainsboro at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, May 8, 2015 with Reverend Joe Bedgood officiating. Lt. Thurman will lie in State 2 hours prior to service.
Interment will follow in the Eastbrook Cemetery near Swainsboro.
The family will receive friends from 5 to until Thursday evening, May 7, 2015 at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Swainsboro Fire Department Fulltime Fire Fighters.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Emanuel County Firefighters.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made in memory of Lt. Ricky Thurman to Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, PO Box 1483, Swainsboro, GA 30401.
Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Lt. Ricky Thurman, 54, of Swainsboro.