Thurman Darnell
- Reed Funeral Home
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
On the afternoon of August 23, 2025, Thurman Darnell, 94, went home to be with the Lord at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky. He now can celebrate eternally with his beloved Jean. Born November 5,1930 in Portsmouth, Ohio, a son of the late William and Dorthula Miller Darnell, then growing up on Big White Oak in Greenup County, Kentucky. Thurman’s life spanned nearly a century and was filled with family, faith, and service to others. Thurman was the kind of man who believed in doing things right — and if that meant “remeasuring” just to be sure, then that’s what he would do. His strong work ethic carried him through more than 43 years at Tennessee Gas Pipeline, where he retired as Pipeline Foreman. He also faithfully served his country during the Korean War, stationed in Germany, and gave back to his hometown through many years of service in the Greenup County Lions Club and supporting all GCHS sports. Many in the community will remember him standing behind the grill at local events, serving up those famous hamburgers with a smile, and being in the stands cheering on the Musketeers, especially when his children and grandchildren were involved. At the center of Thurman’s world was his family. He was married to his wife, Norma Jean “Mim” Darnell, for 48 years before her passing. Though preceded in death by his wife; siblings, Elsie Darnell Johnson Stephens and Gerald Darnell; and nephew Jerry Darnell, Thurman leaves behind a family who will carry his legacy forward: Janeann (Bob) Craft, William Randall (Stephanie) Darnell, and Jennifer Lynn (Darrell) Weaver; grandchildren Brent Craft, Megan Craft Howard (Derek), Eric Craft (Shelby), William Darnell, and Harrison Darnell; great-grandchildren Makenna and Brody Howard, Mattingly and Emerson Craft; and niece Brenda Johnson Brideweser of Troy, Ohio. To his family, Thurman was not just “Dad”, “Papaw” or “Paw,” but the one who never missed a ballgame, who gave the best “crooked-finger” advice, and who always ended a visit with the words, “You be careful driving now.” Thurman had many loves — his farm, the Cincinnati Reds, UK athletics, helping his family with projects, sharing wisdom, being a pipeliner and living his Christian faith as a Trustee at Wurtland Missionary Baptist Church. He was the man you called when something needed fixing, the man who showed by example how to live a good and honest life, and the man who was proudest when his family succeeded. Thurman will be remembered as someone who worked hard, someone who taught us to take pride in everything we do and someone who left the world better than he found it. Until we meet again, keep everyone in line for us up there Thurman.
Funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Reed Funeral Home in Greenup, Kentucky by Ministers J.R. Gullett and Hayden Hunt. Burial will be in Brick Union Cemetery in Lloyd, Kentucky. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, KY
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