Roy C. Thurmond

Roy C. Thurmond, 89, of Dover, died peacefully at Union Hospital on Sunday, July 11, 2010 with his family at his side, following a lengthy period of declining health.

Born February 22, 1921 in Florence, SC, he was the son of the late Roy C. Thurmond Sr. and Willie Faye Cornwell. Roy is also preceded in death by his brother, Tom and sister, Rita of Rocky Mount, NC; and his wife Jane (Street), of Vicksburg, MS, with whom he shared 37 years of marriage until her death in 1980.

Roy enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. During World War II, Roy served as a navigator and instructor in the Army Air Corps and flew combat missions in the pacific theatre. On August 15, 1944, his B-24 bomber was shot down over Formosa and he spent the next 5 months as a prisoner of war of the Japanese. For his wartime service, Roy was awarded several unit citations, the Purple Heart and the POW medal.

After his discharge from the Army as a Captain in 1946, Roy graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, with a degree in Civil Engineering and enjoyed a long career as a professional engineer in Memphis, TN. After his retirement, he moved to Dover to be closer to his children and grandchildren and was a long time resident of New Dawn Retirement Center.

In his leisure time, Roy enjoyed woodworking, fishing, leisurely drives, and spending time with his family. A true southern gentleman and a proud veteran, Roy was gracious, kind and generous and will be sadly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

In 1999, Roy married Edith Schaar of Dover, who survives him. He is also survived by his son, Clark Thurmond of Lancaster, OH, his daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Craig and two grandchildren, Sean and Shelby Craig, all of New Philadelphia.

There will be a public calling hour on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 5:30 pm at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover. A memorial service honoring Roy's life will follow at 6:30 pm. Private interment will be on August 12, 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Those wishing to express their sympathy or fond memories of Roy may do so by visiting the online obituaries link on the funeral home's web site.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Roy's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or Union Hospital, 659 Boulevard, Dover, OH 44622.

Toland-Herzig
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com