Thurman C. Noel

Thurman C. Noel, age 89, passed away on December 4, 2023, in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Born in Reading, OH and growing up in Indianapolis, Thurm joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. In 1956, he was discharged after serving on the U.S.S. Battleship Missouri. He returned to Indianapolis where he attended Butler University. While at Butler, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, pursuing a degree in Political Science. It was at Butler University where he met his wife of 62 years, Patricia Grady. They married on June 17, 1961. Upon Graduation, Thurm took a job at American United Life (AUL) which was the beginning of a long and prestigious career in the insurance industry. In 1970, he was offered the position of Senior Vice President of Sales at Capitol Life Insurance Company and moved his family to Denver, Colorado. In October of 1987, Thurm made the decision to start his own insurance brokerage center, National Benefits Consultants. With the help of his daughter, Mary Winkle, and his son, Tim Noel, the company continues to grow, and the third generation will soon carry on Thurm’s legacy.

Thurm’s interests were broad. He enjoyed working out, running in his younger years, and gravitated toward skiing, hiking & golf in his later years. His prowess on the greens was nothing less than amazing. In the early mornings he relished his walks down to the ponds in Cherry Creek Reservoir. Around his home, he delighted in gardening, cultivating radishes, onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes along with his flowers and lush green lawn. His house was his pride and joy. He was always upgrading something as there was always a project to be done. Thurm was an avid reader of history, an adventurer at heart traveling the world. Through the years he continuously returned to U.S.S. Missouri to see fellow crewmembers and climb about the ship. Thurm loved a great pint of beer and good company. His loyalty to his friends and his love for his family was unrivaled.

Thurm is survived by his wife Patti and their four children: Sheila Allen (Greg), Mary Winkle, Heather Fratino (Joe), Tim Noel (Patty). Thurm has seven grandchildren: Luke Allen (Sarah), Riely Allen, Audrey Winkle, Matt Winkle (Madison), Baelee Winkle, Joey Fratino & Dominic Fratino. There are two great grandchildren, James Allen & Hadley Winkle. Thurm is also survived by his sister Sue Ann Rienke (Bob) and Michael Noel (Sue).

Funeral Services will take place at Church of the Risen Christ on December 18, 2023, at 10:00am. Burial service will be at 1:30pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Flowers may be delivered to Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial, CO 80122, on Sunday, December 17.