Mr. Bryan Preston Thurman

Godfrey, Illinois, has lost a treasured soul and a pillar of the community with the passing of Bryan Preston Thurman on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 5:31 P.M. Bryan left this world unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, kindness, and a life rich in accomplishments and relationships. Born on December 15, 1972, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Ronald Thurman and Gloria Price-Marquez. He grew up alongside his siblings. In 1991, he graduated from Alief Hastings High School in Houston, TX. Bryan eventually began his adult life by going to college and working in Kansas City, MO, where he met his future wife, Tamara (Tammy) Hysten. On May 24, 1997, Bryan married the love of his life, Tamara Hysten, and together, they built a family and a home. Their union was blessed with three children, Aaron Michael, Bria Symone, and Taryn Michelle, who, in turn, gave Bryan the role of a family man—the one he cherished above all others. Bryan's professional journey was as vast as it was impactful. He began working at Charter Communication in Alton, Illinois, then went on to work for Amazon, and he had been working at World Wide Technology for the last few years of his life. Bryan's life was rich with hobbies expressing his love for creating art. He loved photography, all things electronic, model cars, and working on his home. Bryan began his walk with Jesus Christ at Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, under the leadership of Pastor Maurice Barnes. He re-dedicated his life to Christ under Pastor Williams at Berean Church in Kansas City, MO. From 1999 to 2007, while at Oakwood Church of God in Christ in Godfrey, IL, under the leadership of Elder Roosevelt Reed in Godfrey, Bryan was active with both the Men's and Hospitality Auxiliaries. While there, the Lord put it in his heart to begin a food pantry. It reflects his altruistic nature and is still active to this day. In recent years, Bryan became a member of Abundant Life Church, where Joe and Sara Banks were his pastors. He eventually became a part of the security team, which he immensely enjoyed. His church life was one of giving—whether it was sharing his time, his love of the Lord, or his love of the Gospel. It was a large part of who he was as a person. Sadly, Bryan was predeceased by his son, Aaron Michael Thurman; maternal grandparents, KD and Katherine (Birdow) Price, and paternal grandparents, William Preston Hanberry and Myrtle "Dear" Watson; his bonus fathers, Kenneth Jones I and Juan Delgado Marquez, and Mother-in-Law, Dorothy E. Hysten. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his loving wife, Tamara; his children, Bria and Taryn of Godfrey, Illinois; his mother, Gloria Price-Marquez of Ft. Worth, TX; and his father, Ronald Thurman of Burleson, TX.; his brothers, Cortland and Breck Thurman of Kansas City, MO and Elder Kenneth (Anese) Jones II, of Ft. Worth, TX, and SanChay “Lamont” (Jennifer) Price, who was raised like a brother, his brother Kenneth's children, Ashala, Kenea, Trenae, K'Donny, and Kenneth III and his brother Cortland's children Makhi and Courtney. He also leaves to cherish his memory his bonus mothers, Sylvia Thompson of Burleson, TX, and Cortenaye Moten of Kansas City, MO, good friends David Andersen, Samuel Hayes, George Amerson and Maurice Payne and in-laws, nieces, and nephews, Stephanie (Joe) Elliott, Constance McFadden of Alton, IL, Annette (Byron)Williams of Godfrey, IL, and Lisa (Roger) Lovett of Foster Township, IL, JeRon Elliott (Claire and Lucy Elliott) of Webster, NY; JaMar Elliott of Heartland, TX; Candace Williams (Byron Williams, Dakota and Kaydence Tolliver) and Regiere Lovett Erikk Williams, and Clarence (CJ) Johnson, Jr (Clarence III and Cherish Williams), and Nathaniel (Sierra) Phillips of Alton, IL; Danielle Williams of Belleville, IL; Rianca Lovett of St. Louis, MO; Riley (Straughter) Guthrie (Rya, Rory, Shreya, and Samaya Guthrie) of Collinsville, IL; Xavier and Christian McFadden of Kansas City, MO, and Marty Lockett (Caleb Lockett) of Lexington, KY, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives who will all miss him. His absence will also be profoundly felt by a community of friends and colleagues who respected and admired him. Bryan's life was a beacon of how to live with purpose and love. He will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will comfort all who knew him.

Mr. Bryan Preston Thurman

December 15, 1972 - April 2, 2024