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Nate Thurmond
1941 - 2016
Nate Thurmond
1941 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1941
DIED
2016
Nate Thurmond Obituary
A seven-time All-Star and one of the most dominant centers in the game, Thurmond played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers during an NBA career that spanned 14 seasons, from 1963 – 1977. The 6’ 11” center was often referred to as “Nate the Great” or “Great Nate” due to his outstanding play.
Known for his aggressive rebounding and shot blocking, Thurmond was the centerpiece of the San Francisco, later Golden State, Warriors throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. His teams twice made it to the NBA Finals, but lost to the legendary Boston Celtics of the 1960s and former teammate Wilt Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers.
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On October 18, 1974 he became the first NBA player to record a quadruple double, scoring 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks in a 120 – 115 Chicago Bulls overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks. It’s a feat that has only occurred three times since, and not since 1994.
Thurmond attended Bowling Green University and was selected by the San Francisco Warriors as the 3rd overall pick in the 1963 NBA draft.
He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1996 he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History by the NBA on the occasion of the league’s 50th anniversary. His number 42 jersey has been retired by both the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
He retired with 14,437 points, 14,464 rebounds, and 2,575 assists.
After his playing days, Thurmond was briefly a broadcaster and then a longtime community liaison for the Warriors.
“Nate represented this franchise with class, dignity and humility as both a player and community relations ambassador for over 40 years,” said Warriors owner Joe Lacob, “On behalf of the entire Warriors organization, our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family, including his wife, Marci. We’ll miss his presence in his customary seats at our games next season, but his legacy will live forever.”
60 Entries
Melissa Morris
July 25, 2020
Happy Birthday
Gleda Wright
November 4, 2019
Missing you each and everyday Cousin. Never forgotten Nate. Love you always.
wayne robinson
August 15, 2017
I grew up watching " Nate the Great" he was truly one of the greatest big man that ever played the game, bar none. I lived in Tacoma, Wa, and i would attend most of the games when the Warriors played at the Seattle Supersonics. Of course I was there to see Big Nate. Nate was my idol and i tried to emulate my game after him but in reality there was only one Nate. He was a class act both on and off the court. I was saddened to here of his passing. I told one of my brothers of his passing and the first thing he said was Nate the great! He in my eyes was the most popular Warrior ever. He will be missed. Rest in peace "NATE THE GREAT."
James Turned
August 7, 2016
A Central High school classmate. A quiet and yet engaging homeroom classmate. I sat next to him in homeroom for 3 years and played basketball with him during my freshman and sophomore years. I play football, basketball and track and Nate always gave me "high fives" and I gave him accolades back! I visited his restaurant in San Francisco and always had a free-of-charge meal during that time and we would set together, at his restaurant.
He was a soft, gentle and reflective man. I am in Sacramento and he in San Francisco... yes, I regret we did not spend more time together.
Love you "Big Nate!"
Jim "Jet" Turner
How you can show support
Karen Keefer
July 25, 2016
Nate,
From your smiles greeting me at BGSU to your continuing friendship in San Francisco, know that we all will miss you. Heart-felt condolences to your family and friends you left behind for now. Enjoy Heaven!
Dr. Kevin butler
July 25, 2016
Nate, you belong to the ages, you were a great player and a greater person, my prayers go out to your family and loved ones.
Dr. Kevin Butler.
Joyce Furlough
July 25, 2016
Marci & Family,
My prayers are with you and the family. May God give you peace and comfort during this season. My deepest condolences to you and the family.
July 25, 2016
Marci, Thurmond Family, Friends,
Just learned of Nate death and are truly sorry. Our prayers go out to his family, friends, team mate and the Warriors organization. We can a lot about him, only a few words are needed. The man was Good! He is missed. May the God who gives peace be with all of you.-RO.15:33
Beverly Breaux
July 24, 2016
God called.you "TURNED". Peace until we meet again.
Will miss you at Sunday morning sevice Mrs Breaux and family
July 24, 2016
You were a great player! Deepest condolences to his family. May God comfort and strengthen you.
helen hanna
July 23, 2016
may the great gentleman and expert at everything, nate thurmond, rest in peace. how i loved his commentary on the warriors last season when curry and company won the nba finals. how i missed his expert remarks this season. i hoped he was not seriously ill. i am so glad i lived to know who nate thurmond was, a gift to the bay area. it just wasn't the same in the nba finals this year, nate. larry and adonal did a good job, but you were the one we all looked to for the most wise, profound commentary. condolences to the thurmond family.
Felix Thurman, Jr.
July 22, 2016
I watched you play in the NBA, You were great. R.I.P. big man
Donny easterling
July 22, 2016
you will be missed by many. god bless your soul.
Arv Oconnell
July 20, 2016
Nate I was a great fan of yours . I was able to start at center for my high school despite being only five foot eleven. That is because I was a student of your play. I wish your family the best . Great man and player.. Thank you for your inspiration and all the care you showed others
Joe M
July 20, 2016
Nate the Great was a very sophisticated, dignified gentleman. Mr. Thurmond was also cool, very cool. One of the the NBA's 50 greatest, and also Akron basketball before LeBron James. I hope Big Nate got the proper send off as he wanted. It was so classy that he had returned to Akron for the funeral Mass of his high school mentor, Coach Joe Siegferth. Nate Thurmond was truly one of the NBA's greatest players - beloved in the Bay Area, and an Akron All Timer.
Carole Stofira
July 19, 2016
I grew up watching you when we only had black and white TV, Nate, but we were so fortunate to even have a tv in those days. So, thank you so much for all the wonderful memories watching you play. I remember asking my dad who that great big tall guy was, and he said, "that's Nate Thurmond"! You made your hometown so very proud, sir, and may you now and forever R.I.P.
Bob Liss
July 19, 2016
It was my great honor and privilege to spend an afternoon with Nate, in preparation for a feature story about him when he turned 50.
He was a man of incredible dignity, sensitivity, and quiet warmth, as regal yet humble a presence as any human being could be.
I had seem him play in college, in Madison Square Garden, and always counted him among my favorite players in the NBA.
After getting to know him, I saw that he was an even more amazing person.
Condolences to those near him, and the many more who loved him.
Joe Siegferth Jr
July 19, 2016
R.I.P Nate. You were the best on and off the floor. You brought great pride to my father, "Coach" Joe Siegferth - Akron Central. My prayers to your family.
Victor Murray
July 18, 2016
R.I.P. Job well DONE!!!!
BEVERLY BURTON-LEE
July 18, 2016
Fond memories from Mt Olive Baptist Church in Akron Ohio. Remembering Sunday School, Andrew and Lela, Rev Monroe, and the Washingtons. You were a great church league, school, and NBA basketball player and a very nice 'older' brother. Rest in Peace. 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it' Proverbs 22:6 ...' From Willie Mae Addie Burton's dgtr, and the Albritton's god-dgtr.
July 18, 2016
My condolences to your family during this time of grief.
Gail Grossman
July 18, 2016
Tears of sadness and my deepest sympathy to Marci and everyone who knew and loved Nate. He will be greatly missed in this life! Rest in Peace my dear friend!
Michael D.
July 18, 2016
My condolences go to your family. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I understand this a difficult time for you. But I hope that you find comfort in knowing that God has a beautiful promise for the future: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." May God be a source of comfort to you until that time.
July 18, 2016
I had the special privilege of going to Nate and Marci's home for several Thanksgiving meals. Nate made the best sweet potato pies.
Rest in piece Cuz. We will look after your beloved Marcie and never forget you.
Phi M
July 18, 2016
One of the greats from a time when athletes were true hero's. Rest in Peace. My prayers are with your family.
Norman Creller
July 18, 2016
Nate was a BGSU graduate, and remembered by many in Bowling Green, Ohio. He was a nice friendly person as well. R.I.P.
July 18, 2016
God Bless you Mr.Thurmond, I remember watching you at the Cow Palace in SF back in the 60's.
My biggest thrill was standing next to you at St. Robert's Gym in San Bruno Calif on a Sunday morning where my parochial school would practice. We walked into the gym, and to our surprise the Warriors were practicing there!
At the time I only stood up to your waist, but you emphasized to my teammates how good we could be if we worked hard at practice.
Thank you for that wonderful memory, along with the memories that you gave all the Warrior fans
July 18, 2016
Thank you for your contributions to the game. Deepest condolences to the Thurmond family.
Mark McDonald
July 18, 2016
To the family of Nate I send my sincere heatfelt condolences, especially to his wife and son.
July 18, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
July 18, 2016
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Dante Ramirez
July 18, 2016
Nate opened The Beginning in the Fillmore District in the 70s. My mother took us to dinner on a few occasions, and on one of them the Big Man came down from the loft which was an office and said hello to patrons. When he came over to say hello it was a thrill of a lifetime. In a time when our athletes could truly be heroes, my biggest was Nate.
A friend arranged to have City jackets made back around 1990. This was before the logo returned and we might have been the onliest three in the Bay Area with City jackets. One had 24 Barry, one 23 Mullins, and I had Nbr 42.
Condolences to his wife and family.
Patricia Vaughey
July 18, 2016
Nate you will be missed - you are a class act.
Patricia Vaughey
Marci - if you need any help call me 415-567-7152.
Ernest Howell
July 17, 2016
" Dust in the wind "
" All we are is dust in the wind "
RIP
A life well lived...
July 17, 2016
I am proud to have had the opportunity to meet and know Nate Thurmond. A true gentleman. My condolences to his wife and family.
Lina Rathie, Salinas, Ca.
Kendra Kingsley
July 17, 2016
Condolences to the Thurmond Family
July 17, 2016
I'm just a 60 year old guy who grew up listening to Warriors games from Montana. Nate Thurmond is and will always be my favorite basketball player of all time. My condolences to his family and friends. He truly was Nate the Great.
Clay
Steven Heller
July 17, 2016
I watched the forceful center and gentleman teammate, Nate Thurmond, in awe as a young kid.
Then, as an older kid, we watched together, as, to my great surprise and profound happiness, Nate and Marci's season tickets were right in front of me.
I'm not sure if they ever noticed a little (but loud) red-haired boy behind them, but it was a tremendous privilege to share, as we watched our team together.
My most special memory was the tremendous enthusiasm I could see Nate felt, as he marveled, and encouraged the wildly exciting and forceful play of Clifford Ray, who was doing his utmost best to fill the position left by the NBA center, so tough that no other NBA center wanted to play against him. Thank you Nate!
kathleen ramaiya
July 17, 2016
Mr. Thurmond is part of the championship years. thank you for all you and your family have given us.
Harry Simpson
July 17, 2016
Godspeed and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Lula
July 17, 2016
Marci, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My heart is with you in your time of sorrow. I share your pain. May God comfort your family during this difficult time. (Matt. 11:28-30)
G. Freeman
July 17, 2016
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Jack Maita
July 17, 2016
Nate is a great person and will miss his wise advise
to Marci and Adam my prayers go with you both
Rest in peace NATE
your friend
Jack
Terri DeLillo
July 17, 2016
Dear Marci,
So sad to hear of Nate's death. Know that you are in my prayers. Sending love and support to you in this difficult time.
Karen Redmon
July 17, 2016
Nate the Great may you rest in peace. Condolences to the Thurmond family for your loss. May The Lord bless you and keep you.
MIchael Marcus
July 17, 2016
As friend and business partner, Nate was a true gentleman and one of the classiest people I have ever known. He never complained about missing the big pay day of today's players, and reflected that he was lucky man to be paid well for the sports he loved.. Michael Marcus, Partner Thurmond/Marcus Productions and Big Nate's BBQ.
FRANK FITZGERALD
July 17, 2016
R.I.P.
Scott Chamberland
July 17, 2016
Rest in Peace
dean kuykendall
July 17, 2016
rest in peace a true legend !
July 16, 2016
To the Thurmond family. Mr. Thurmond left his basketball legacy with Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavalier and Chicago Bulls. May reflecting on his great life, and the love from your family and friends add some peace and comfort to you at this difficult time . Psalms 37:39. Sincere condolences to your family.
Maria Rey
July 16, 2016
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Thurmond. As native San Franciscans , my brother and I loved our local teams.We were too young to have seen him play, but knew of his great records. My little brother asked him once for an autograph and was so happy that Mr Thurmond agreed. My little brother lived for basketball and loved the greats. It meant a lot to a little kid. He only played in grammar school and was crushed that he could not play in high school since he was too short for the team. This kind gesture showed how Mr . Thurmond was a great example of a true gentleman.May he rest in peace, Maria Rey The City is going to miss him but we will never forget him
Donna Sandy
July 16, 2016
I attended Spicer Grade School and Central High School in Akron OH with Nate. As a boy he was shy but throughout school, a true gentleman. He he was an outstanding player for the CHS Wildcats and helped bring home many victories. His legacy has lived on with numerous Wildcats who remember his grace. Nate has joined the basketball game in Heaven with former CHS team mates, Elijah Chatman, Gus Johnson, Billy Sparks and their Coach, Joe Siegferth. What a game! Today I am a 73 year old 'female' basketball fan and Nate is part of the reason. Thank you for the memories, Nate. To the family, I pray your memories will also sustain you throughout the coming days.
Mike Larcombe
July 16, 2016
What a great player and a nice man. I loved watching him play against Wilt at Convention Hall in Phila. RIP big fella...
Joe and Cora Fitzpatrick
July 16, 2016
Cora and I are crushed to hear about Nate's death. He and Marci became our good friends, here in Sonoma. Just a fine man. Our heartfelt sympathy for you, Marcie. We will be here for you, when needed.
Bobby Wilcox
July 16, 2016
This one hurts. I was honored to see him play in person as well as on tv. Great man as well as a great player. I was thinking it was Kareem that stated Nate was the toughest opponent he ever had to play against. What a stamp he put on life. Boy, will we ever miss him. Prayers go out to his family as well as for his memory.
D Tyler
July 16, 2016
To the Thurmond family. Mr. Thurmond left his basketball legacy with Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls. May reflecting on the legacy that was left behind and the love of family and friends add some peace and comfort to your daily transition of strength and comfort. Philippians 4:6-7. Sincere condolences to your family.
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