Kenneth J. Thurston

Kenneth J. Thurston, 68, passed away on Saturday April 18, 2020. He was born October 28, 1951 in Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in Death by his mother, Virginia Sheehan, and step-father, Walter Silko.

Ken lived in Chicago during his childhood and graduated from high school there. A life-long student, he attended college classes as a young man, and later took many on-line classes. He started his working career working for his step father as a brick layer’s laborer, he then took his drafting skills to Sargent Lundy Engineering in Chicago. Ken decided to move back to Denver to work for Stone Webster, and that job provided the opportunity for him to travel around the country to various job sites. He left there and went to work for Stearns Roger Engineering and Construction in 1984, where he remained through seven buyouts ending with AECOM. He retired from AECOM in September 2019.

Ken loved war gaming, and would play any type of board game with anyone who would challenge him. He also loved to play sports especially hockey (in-line and ice), and soccer. Ken loved to travel and visit historic sites. He especially adored traveling with his granddaughter, she hung the moon in his eyes. Grandpa Big Friend would do anything for her, including riding her on his shoulders, and climbing to the top of the lighthouse, walking on the beach or just playing in the backyard.

Ken and his first wife adopted a son, Trevor Thurston. In 1990, Ken married Helen, and began caring for her son, Billy.

Ken is survived by his wife, Helen; sons are Trevor Thurston and Billy Garmon (Tasha Garmon); granddaughter, Billie Quinn.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to American Cancer Society, or your favorite charity.

Please refer to this web page for service information, which will be posted at a later date.