Ralph Thurman

Ralph Terry Thurman was born on June 5, 1960, in Kansas City Missouri, to Merlene Woods Thurman and Lesley Levi Thurman. Ralph grew up with his siblings, Donald, Beverly, Lesley, Phyllis, Paul, and Bruce. At the age of 13, along with his family, he moved to Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Manual High School, and attended Metropolitan State University. Ralph accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at St. Stephens Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He had also been a member of Progressive Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. Ralph was a very religious man. He prided himself on being well versed in the Bible and several other Biblical doctrines of various religious edifices. He was always a Christian. Ralph was an entrepreneur. He started working at the age of 14, as a vendor for various sports arenas. Later, he decided to follow his passions, and established "Big Ralph's Tickets." which he operated for many years. His most recent venture was "Thurman Enterprises," a non-profit, organized to assist the homeless and those in need of assistance. Ralph was always jovial, gentle, and kind. He was an extremely generous man, and never met a stranger. Although at times he may not have had much, he would give all that he had. Ralph was fortunate enough to have had many friends and acquaintances; that included various popular musicians to numerous politicians. He loved to talk, and kept himself informed on political and community issues. He structured his life as a political activist. Ralph loved his family, and spent most of his adventurous times with his closest brother, Lesley (Blue). He loved all of his nieces and nephews, but was dearest to Lauren Shobe, Sydney Thurman-Baldwin, and Robert Shobe II, with whom he spent a lot of his time. He is preceded in death by his parents, Merlene and Lesley Thurman. Ralph Terry Thurman departed this life on March 21, 2014, in Glendale, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory include, his siblings, Donald Eugene Cox (Patricia), Beverly Thurman-Baldwin, Lesley Earl Thurman, Phyllis Thurman-Shobe (Robert), Paul Anthony Thurman (Aretha), Bruce Tyrone Thurman; his aunt, Mildred Alyse Jackson; uncle, Herman Woods, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a bounty of friends, including Candy and her son Arthur Lewis.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 4/1/2014 at 9:00 AM - King Baptist Church - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 4/1/2014 at 11:00 AM - King Baptist Church - Denver, CO
Cemetery: 4/1/2014 - Following the Celebration of Life St. Simeon Cemetery - 22001 East State Highway 30 Aurora, CO