Steve was born on November 12, 1940, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Eva (Maylen) Thurman. Steve and his mother moved to Enid in 1943 while his father served in World War II. He graduated from Enid High School in 1958 and attended Oklahoma State University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. On August 19, 1960, Steve married Judy Dailey, his high school sweetheart. He returned to Enid shortly after and attended Phillips University, graduating in 1964.
In 1961, Steve joined his father's business, Thurman Bridge Supply. He added a concrete block manufacturing plant to the company, renaming the business Thurman Bridge & Block and, later, Thurman Building Materials. In addition, he was the owner of Bridge & Highway Materials in Enid and Designer Cast Stone in Oklahoma City. During his professional career, Steve was active in the National Concrete Masonry Association. He was heavily involved in local committees and organizations, including AMBUCS and Rotary Club of Enid, and served as president of Oakwood Country Club. He was a member of Enid's First United Methodist Church and served on numerous boards there. After retirement, he enjoyed Tuesday night poker and was a regular morning coffee club attendee at Davinci's, where he and friends solved the world's problems.
Steve was a loving husband and father, and a ridiculously proud grandfather. He was happiest spending time with family and friends, especially if it was at a football game cheering for his beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys. When you needed it most, he was quick with a smile or a joke or a Chivas and water. He always explained the proper way to spell Stephen, and you couldn't spend time with him without knowing how deeply he could love.
He is survived by wife Judy, of the home; son, Brad Thurman and Misty Turley of Tulsa; daughter, Cindy Thurman Lang and husband, Tim, of Enid; and four grandchildren, Katy Lang Sheets and husband, John, of Oklahoma City, Michael Lang and wife, Carrie, of Enid, Chris Thurman and wife, Jessica, of Edmond, and Patrick Thurman of Helsinki, Finland. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Yvette Thurman Boston and infant brother William Thurman.
A public memorial will be held Friday, September 15, 2017, at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Enid. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice Circle of Love or First United Methodist Church with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodians of the fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
