Thomas Nile Thurston

St. George, Utah, Thomas "Tommy" Nile Thurston, 68, passed away on Nov. 21, 2012, at Dixie Regional Center of acute pancreatitis complications. Tommy was born on April 15, 1944. (he always joked "A Tax Day Baby") in Provo, UT to Nile Christian Thurston and Dorothy Mayo Thurston. He was married to Maxine Measom on February 20, 1965, Tom was born and raised in Provo and lived in the same house until he married at age 19. He graduated from Provo High in 1962 where he enjoyed wrestling his senior year only and took state in his class weight, 98 lbs. His love of cars brought him to join the Majestics, a Provo based car club. His grand kids joke that Tom could tell the make, model and year of any car made before 1979. He said after that they all looked alike. About that same time, he met the love of his life a young girl from Pleasant Grove. They were married exactly, one year from the day they met, in Pleasant Grove. They just celebrated their 47th anniversary this year. They hardly missed a dance while dating and all through their marriage. Tom joined the Elks in 1967 when Maxine turned 21 and together they have dedicated their lives to the charities of the Elks. He was an officer for over 25 years and at the time of his death he was chairman of the volunteers. A responsibility he loved because meeting people was something that came natural to him. Tom went back to a trade school when his was in his thirties and trained in plastic injection molding. A trade he found fascinating. He was hired on at Deseret Pharmaceutical in Sandy Utah where he worked for 20 years. He was intrigued by how the tiny parts he made went in to medical devices, that were used in intensive care in hospitals. He went to work for Mity-Lite for 10 years in their molding department before retiring at 62 years old. In 2008, Maxine lost her job due to downsizing & Tom said "I don't want to die with a snow shovel in my hands" so they went to St. George to look for a home there. In St. George they kept involved with the Elks and renewed friendships & made many more. Tom golfed some after they moved to St. George & met up with some of his old friends from Provo High School days. He loved going to the Lake Powell, fishing, four wheeling and going to Kolob in the summer. Tom loved to camp starting with a blue army tent, then tent trailer and then finally a mini motor home. Many fun times were had with family & friends through the years of camping, Tom always loved to fish and hunt in his younger years. Tom and Maxine have gone on nine cruise trips to exotic places but loved the warm Caribbean waters most. The Last one was a trip for the entire family except for a grandson in the military & one grand-daughter in law. What a great time we all had, with Tom going on the slide with the kids. When Tom was a teenager he loved to swim. One time in Provo canyon while jumping off the train trestle he hit his head on a piling in the river & cut his scalp open & had to have about 60 stitches. He loved to tell that story. He said it knocked some sense into him. Tom leaves behind his: wife; two daughters Tonja Mower (Chris Richins) & Shani Green; seven grand children Anthony Thurston (Jackie Thurston), Cassidy Thurston ( Rachel Crump), Jeremy Green, Lindsey Rose,Chantel Green, Rachel Green, and Christopher Richins. 5 great- grandchildren; A sister, Claudia Thurston Cole, of Oregon & One sister in-law Marilyn Thurston in Provo Utah. Also survived by Maxine's four sisters and their spouses. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and an older brother, Mayo Thurston. Tommy said he "Was always so lucky to have married into the Measom family and one of Max's girls." And he loved Maxine's sisters, Diane, Karen, Dawn and Beth like his own sisters. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 26, 2012, at 11:00 am at the Dixie Elks Lodge, 630 W. 1250 N., St. George, UT. A family and friend visitation will be at 10:00 am at the Elks also. As to Tom's wishes he will be cremated. Family and friends are invited to share condolences online at www.serenicare.com Arrangements are under the direction of SereniCare funeral home, St. George, UT, 986-2085.