A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on October 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Cedar Hill, NM, with a reception to follow at the Cedar Hill Schoolhouse Community Building, located at 2 Road 2343, Aztec, NM.
Tommy “Tom” Lee Thurston, 80, of Yuma, Colorado, passed away on August 13, 2025. He was born February 8, 1945, at home in Aztec, New Mexico, to Richard Lee “Dick” Thurston and Beulah Bell Thurston. Tom was one of six children and grew up in Aztec alongside his siblings Mary Ann, Jim, Robbie, Judy, and Patti. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robbie.
Tom spent his youth active in 4-H, showing pigs, rodeoing, and playing basketball. After graduating high school, he attended college in Durango, Colorado, and later New Mexico State University, where he pursued an animal science degree. Following college, he built a long and successful career in the oil field industry as a consultant, working in both New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Texas.
Tom had two children, Cody and Malinda and later in life, he welcomed his third and youngest son, Ty. Tom devoted himself to raising Ty as a single father.
Tom settled in Yuma, Colorado, where he discovered a passion for raising Boer show goats. He was deeply committed to helping local youth in FFA and 4-H succeed, even raising goats for his grandson in Arizona to show.
In retirement, Tom enjoyed attending sporting events—especially Denver professional games—local county fairs, and visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Summers often found him in Ruidoso, New Mexico, visiting Cody and watching the horse races at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. He was also a familiar face in the stands at local school sporting events.
Tom is survived by his children: Cody (Michelle) Thurston, Ty Thurston, and Malinda Thurston LeGrand; his grandchildren Brooke (Ryan) Thurstonson, Cassie (Nic) Tanner, Braydon, Bryson, and Baylie; his great-grandchildren Sloan, Drew, Madison, and Wyatt; his siblings Mary Ann Thornton, Patti Thurston, Judy Hollar, and Jim Thurston; Nephew Shane Thurston, great-niece Dallas Thurston. Along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, his generosity toward young people chasing their agricultural dreams, and his ability to make friends wherever he went. He lived life with grit, humor, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys, good livestock, a close game, and time with those he loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Tom’s honor to a FFA or 4-H program.