Irvin Thurston

March 13, 1937 — February 2, 2024

A gentle, spiritual giant, Irvin Jay Thurston (of Brigham City, Utah) returned to his heavenly home on February 2, 2024. He passed away quietly at home surrounded by his loving family. He was an honorable, exemplary man who was loved dearly by his family and respected by all who knew him.

Irv was born in Burley, Idaho on March 13, 1937, to Floyd and Ellen Thurston and was the youngest of 3 boys. His mother died shortly after he was born due to complications of childbirth, and he was raised mainly by his grandmother, Nellie Thurston, and his father. He grew up in Idaho, where he learned the value of hard work on a farm. At age 14 he got a job, learned to drive, got a driver’s license, and bought a car, which initiated in him a lifelong interest in cars.

He attended and graduated from Burley High School, where he met Beatrice Larson, the love of his life. They were married in the Idaho Falls Idaho temple on August 23,1957. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. After his graduation they lived in Granger, UT where Irv began his career with the U S Treasury Department, and they purchased their first home. In 1966, he was transferred to the Ogden Treasury office, and moved with his family to Brigham City, Utah. They bought a home at the base of the mountains that bore their initials, where they have lived for the past 58 years. After holding several different management assignments in his career, Irv took early retirement from his work in 1992 after 30 years of dedicated service.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and over the years served in many priesthood callings. He also served with his wife, Bea, as an ordinance worker in the Ogden Utah Temple.

Irv was a man of many talents, loved sports, and was always fit as a fiddle. This was demonstrated to the doubters last summer when he did ten pullups on the backyard swing set at age 86. He played baseball competitively for several years. He also greatly enjoyed painting, fishing a stream and a round of golf, which was made extra special because it meant time spent with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Beatrice Larson Thurston, whom he considered to be an angel on earth. He is also survived by his three children: Val (Susan) Thurston, Shelley (Keith) Moeller, and Jodi (Scott) Naatjes, who value him as one of their greatest blessings. He and Bea also have 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren (and counting). He will be remembered with love. His firm testimony, his strength of character and his quick wit will continue to be a source of inspiration to his family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brigham City 18th Ward, 895 North 625 West, Brigham City, Utah. Visitations will be held the night before on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah and prior to the service on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Brigham City Cemetery.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.myers-mortuary.com.