Emmett Eugene Thurman

Emmett Eugene Thurman, 72, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Parkwest Hospital, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born July 22, 1936, in Crossville, he was a 1954 graduate of Cumberland County High School, and went on to earn undergraduate and two graduate degrees from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. He dedicated most of his career to education, serving as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, supervisor of instruction and superintendent of schools for the Harriman City School System. Known affectionately as “Mean Gene” by students, Thurman served as principal of Harriman High School from 1971 to 1985. His legacy will forever be the positive impact he had on countless students during his 35 years as an educator. Alumni and friends of the Harriman City School system established the “Mean Gene” Emergency Grant Fund in his honor in 1995. At the time, Thurman was quoted as saying “my most lasting memories will be my association with the students…Seeing these ‘kids’ achieve has been all the recognition I need. It has been a trip – lots of tears and lots of laughter – I wouldn’t take anything back.” Following his service to the Harriman City School System, Thurman joined architectural firm Kaatz, Binkley Jones & Morris as director of marketing. He served in this capacity for the remainder of his career. He was grateful for the support and generosity the firm provided during his final months. Active in the community his entire life, Thurman was presented the Outstanding Young Educator award by the Harriman Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1964, served as president of the Harriman Teachers Association, chaired the Education Committee for the Roane County United Way, participated in Leadership Roane County and received the Distinguished Service Award from the State of Tennessee Department of Education in 1995 upon his retirement from Harriman City Schools. A long time member of Riverside Baptist Church in Harriman, Thurman taught Sunday School and served on numerous church committees during his forty-one years as a member. An avid Tennessee football fan, Thurman attended nearly every game – both home and away – for nearly forty years. His presence and enthusiasm at tailgates and games will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynda Collins Thurman; son and daughter-in-law, Trent and Francie Thurman of Austin, Texas, son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Parri Thurman of Knoxville; grandchildren, Ben, Sam, Camilla and Karenna; mother-in-law, Marie Collins of Harriman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Donna Collins of Kingston; nephew Robert Crabtree of Clyde, Texas; aunts, Eula Bomar of Livingston and Martha Bozanich of Hendersonville; nephews, Bryant Collins and wife, Stephanie, of Kingston, and Brady Collins of Kingston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. I.N. (Buck and Camilla) Thurman; and stepfather, Olin C. Julian. Receiving of friends will be held Monday, June 8, 2009 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM with funeral services to immediately follow. Graveside services will be held Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the “Mean Gene” Emergency Grant Fund to provide the means for Harriman City School students, who due to circumstances, might not be able to purchase those “extras” that are so important, such as yearbooks and class rings. Donations to the fund made payable to Harriman City Schools Alumni (HCSA) can be mailed to William A. Newcomb, president of the alumni association, P.O. Box 823, Harriman, TN 37748.

Emmett Eugene Thurman

June 6, 1937 - June 6, 2009