Charles Jay Thurgood, 79, passed away peacefully Monday, December 8, 2014 in Boise, Idaho. Jay was born June 24, 1935 in his family home in Syracuse, Utah. He grew up working on the family farm and developed close relationships with his surrounding family. Jay married his high school sweetheart, Karen Corbridge, June 2, 1955 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He built their first home that year in West Point, Utah near his family home. One year later, Jay was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission based in New York City, NY for two years. Together, Jay and Karen raised 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. In 1965, he moved his young family of four children to Meridian, Idaho and began a grand new adventure. Jay sold insurance during his career in Idaho, but that was just his day job! His other "jobs" were raising his family, working the farm, and serving people. Jay lived each day of his life to the fullest with a positive happy outlook on life. He loved people and sought to serve his fellowman daily. He taught his children literally to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the homeless, shut-ins, and lonely; visit the imprisoned, and watch over one another. He blessed the lives of many Meridian citizens. Jay served as a Bishop in the LDS Meridian Second Ward many years ago and enjoyed doing so. His relationships in the community were very important to him as well. No one was a stranger to Jay. He had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed spending vacation time in the mountains of Idaho. He patiently spent most of his time repairing snagged fishing lines for his children and if the fish weren't biting it was the fishes fault! Jay was preceded in death by his parents John Arnold and Ellen Thurgood; son Steven Thurgood and a brother, Don Thurgood. His is survived by his wife, Karen Thurgood; nine of his children: Douglas (Camellia), David (Janet), Keith (Cathie), Gwen (Bob) Huckstep, Denise (Jason) Myers, Kent (Teresa), Blaine (Kris), Vaughn (Dixie) and Jaceen Thurgood; 41 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; five sisters: Shirley (Van) Gailey of Weber, Utah, Marjorie Barton of San Antonio, Texas, June (Leonard) Stephenson of Ivans, Utah, Carol (John) Graves of Orem, Utah, Mary (Alan) George of West Point, Utah; and numerous extended family. The family extends our sincerest thanks to Diamond View Assisted Living Center for their loving care of Jay over the past four years and to St. Luke's Hospice also for their loving care of our father during the past year. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 13 at the Meridian 12th Ward LDS Chapel, 1560 N. 10 Mile Road, Meridian. A viewing will be held at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 12 and from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Saturday, prior to the services. Service: Saturday, December 13, 2014 9:30 a.m. Meridian 12th Ward LDS Chapel 1560 N Ten Mile Road Meridian, Idaho Visitation: Friday, December 12, 2014 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2014 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Prior to the services Meridian 12th Ward LDS Chapel
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