Thurston Arthur Blakely, Jr.

Thurston Arthur Blakely, Jr. was born on October 10, 1926, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He entered eternal rest peacefully on June 23, 2024. Thurston was the only child of Thurston Arthur Blakely Sr. and Helen (Walter) Blakely.

He moved to Oklahoma City as a child where he attended Central High School and thereafter graduated with an accounting degree from The University of Oklahoma at Norman.

Thurston proudly served in the U.S. Army in both World War II and the Korean War. While in Norman, he met his bride, Patsy Ruth Ebright.  They were married at Ft. Lee, Virginia, where Thurston was stationed. Soon he was sent to Verdun, France to command a bakery for the army.

Thurston and Patsy had three children: twins Neil and Bill were born in France, and 18 months later, Barbara was born in Germany. The family returned to the United States, where they settled in Norman, so Thurston could complete his degree.

After graduation, he accepted a job as an auditor with Sears. The family moved often, mostly to cities in Texas, including Dallas, Port Arthur, Garland and finally Plano, as well as Roswell, New Mexico and Roswell, Georgia.

Thurston was active in church, joining and participating with every move. Upon retirement, he and Patsy settled in Plano, Texas where they became active members of Christ United Methodist Church.

He enjoyed tennis and eventually became an umpire for college and professional tournaments. Thurston was all about his family. He was deeply involved in the sports teams for which his sons played. Along with his wife, Patsy, he hosted family gatherings including Thanksgiving and Christmas and any other time he could gather his family. Thurston showed kindness and warmth not only to his family but to anyone he met. He was charming, friendly, and genuinely cared for people.

Thurston and Patsy have been lovingly cared for these past several years by their daughter and son in law, Barbara and Jay James. He enjoyed new friends made at Village on the Park of Plano, where he tried never to miss a game of Bingo, Bridge or Rummikub.

Thurston is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth (Ebright) Blakely; sons Neil Blakely and his wife Marilyn, Bill Blakely and his wife Susan, and daughter, Barbara Blakely James and her husband Jay; eleven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thurston, and Helen Blakely.

A memorial service to celebrate Thurston’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Christ United Methodist Church at 3101 Coit Road, in Plano, Texas.