Lowell Leonard Thurston was born February 1st, 1928 in Jerome, Idaho. He passed away on June 27th, 2017.
Lowell graduated from Burley High School in 1946. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the navy and was stationed on the USS Oakland. He spent time in Pearl Harbor, Guam, Saipan, Tsingtao and Shanghai, China. He was honorably discharged from military duty in 1948.
In 1949 he met Shirley Jane Chrisman. Three weeks later, they were married on March 12th, 1949 and moved to Albion, Idaho. (They were married for 54 years until Shirley’s passing in 2003). 
Lowell spent two years at Albion College and two years at Idaho State University earning his bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation, he moved his young family to Buhl, Idaho where he taught World History and Bookkeeping at the high school for four years. 
Seeking more challenges, Lowell left education and went to work for the State of Idaho Department of Employment. He spent the next twenty years managing various offices in Jerome, Burley, Nampa, and Caldwell, Idaho. 
After retiring from the Employment Office, Lowell became a longtime volunteer at the Idaho Center. He worked as an usher at practically every event for more than twenty years. When the Idaho Center dropped the volunteer program in 2016, Lowell applied, and at the young age of 88, was hired as a paid employee! The joke in his family was that dad (grandpa) had gone to more rock concerts than his kids and grandkids combined!. 
Although Lowell enjoyed a long career with the state of Idaho, he was most rewarded by his volunteer work at the Idaho Center. Lowell saw hundreds of concerts, circuses, graduations and basketball games. He actually worked every boys and girls state basketball game for more than 15 years, many times working 5-6 games in a single day! He cared deeply for his fellow employees and even organized monthly dinners with many of them. 
Lowell loved college football (especially the Boise State Broncos) and College of Idaho basketball. He was an avid gardener with a talent for growing beautiful flowers and abundant vegetables. He had a wonderful and witty sense-of-humor that was equal to none! He always greatly appreciated the family and friends that came to spend time and visit with him.
Lowell is survived by his son and daughter in-law, Denny and Sharyn Thurston of Meridian, daughter, Geri Thurston of Boise, daughter and son in-law, Patty and Randy Hickman of McCall, son and daughter in-law, and Doug and Jo Ann Thurston of Meridian; nine grand-children; fifteen great grand-children; and his brother and sister in-law, Irvin and Bea Thurston of Brigham City Utah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; and brother, Dale. 
Lowell was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and friend to all. He will be greatly missed. 
The family will receive friends at the visitation on Thursday, July 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 14th also at Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Burial with military honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell.

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