Joseph F. Thurmond

1946 - 2022

Burlington - Joseph F. Thurmond unexpectedly passed away early Sunday morning, February 13, 2022.

Born in Houston, Texas, December 28, 1946. He moved to Anacortes at the age of 12 with his family, when his father was transferred to Shell Oil Refinery. They bought a home on Pleasant Ridge in La Conner three years later, where he graduated from La Conner High School in 1965.

Joe married his high school sweetheart, Kathy O'Leary, a year later. He graduated from Skagit Valley College and went on the school at Western Washington University all while operating and growing the service station business. In 1971, Joe and Kathy relocated to Burlington where he spent 23 years in auto sales and management and 10 years in the insurance business. He retired after working for four years at Atkinson Family Dentistry as Community and Marketing Director.

Joe loved the Skagit Valley. He was a charter member of the Burlington Rotary, worked with Citizens Advisory for B-E Schools, served as President of Skagit Business Alliance and as a mentor for Leadership Skagit, a program he loved and felt was a powerful influence for good in the community. Joe loved the YMCA and spent most of his years involved in coaching there and supporting and utilizing the resources they offer. He coached AAU basketball and American Legion Baseball and thrived on the opportunity to teach and coach the youth. Joe lived with a deep belief in the goodness of people, an inexhaustible capacity for enthusiasm and hope, and a willingness to give of lift and help others.

He was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving, teaching and leading all his adult life. Until his final day he was rallying family and friends to support a Ugandan orphanage and teaching early-morning seminary to high school kids.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Moena and Robert Thurmond, his sister Rosanna and his father-in-law and mother-in law, Michael and Maxine O'Leary. He leaves behind his beloved Kathy, wife and best friend of 56 years, his four children, Kate Atkinson (Brandon), John Thurmond (Veronica), Matt Thurmond (Kathryn), Adam Thurmond (Rita) and his 15 adored grandchildren: Lauren, Ashton, Abbey, Connor, Payson, Spencer, Max, Alex, Jaxon, Ebey, Emily, Hinckley, Noah, Olivia, and Madeline and the newest addition, great grandson, Xander.

Joe's sudden passing has left his family sad but so grateful for his love, friendship, faith, companionship and leadership which will be his legacy. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the YMCA or the Luwemba Orphan Children's Ministry which Joe has organized would be welcomed. A bank account is set up at Heritage Bank as well as a Venmo account.

A service will be held Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1700 E Hazel St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274).