Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at Woodbine Cemetery for Michael Dean Thurman of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Thurman, 78, died on October 2, 2026, in El Paso, Texas.

Mike was born on July 16, 1948, in Artesia; the son of Olen Ray Thurman and Marian Lucille DeWitt. Mike was a lifelong resident of Artesia. On January 2, 1979, he was married to Pamela Brown in Roswell, New Mexico.

He worked in the oilfield for many years as a driller. He loved horses and working with them, even breaking and training a few wild ones. He enjoyed going fishing, listening to and dancing to music, especially country and the old rock and roll. He loved reading and studying the Bible. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Melvin Rodney Thurman and Donald Ray Thurman, and sisters Patsy Ruth Bartlett and Kathy Farrar.

Survivors include his wife, Pam Thurman; children Shana Griffith and her husband, Brad Griffith, and David Thurman and his wife, Desirae Thurman; brothers Joseph Robert Thurman and J. R. Thurman; sister Teresa Lynn Thurman; and grandchildren Colt Griffith, Damian Sanchez, Drake Thurman, Carli Griffith, and Devyn Thurman.

Pallbearers: Colt Griffith, Drake Thurman, Devyn Thurman, Erine Thurman, Joseph Thurman, Kenny Thurman, and Jerry Thurman

Honorary Pallbearers: David Thurman, Brad Griffith, Damian Sanchez, JR Thurman, Joe Bob Thurman, Danny Thurman, John Thurman, and Joel Thurman

Mike, Mikey, Booger Red as known by his friends, Michael Dean Thurman, a husband, father, a grandfather, and, our little brother. We will miss him. Mikes last few years on earth were filled with a lot of turmoil. All the family members tried to help ease his pain.

We feel the pain of his passing deep in

our hearts. Although we knew it was his last days, we weren't prepared to let him go. He was our brother, a father, a husband, a grandfather. We will forever wonder if we had just tried one more time, could we have helped him. But, sadly, yesterday's gone, we must bid him our last farewell. We are left here with nothing but a few of his possessions, photos, and memories.

Mike was born in 1948, the fifth child and third son, dad's favorite. He was a rambunctious little kid, I remember, as a toddler, mom tying him to the clothes line with a rope around his waist to prevent him from running off, sounds a little like abuse, but nobody was hurt. Redheaded, he was called "Booger Red," by his friends. As a youngster he lived up to that name. I remember mom referring to him as,

"You little booger!"

Mike loved horses, and trained a couple, one, a mustang adopted from the reservation. He loved music, and loved to dance. Many times I've watched he and Pam glide across the dance floor. He loved a cold beer and would fight a bandsaw at only five foot six in height. Mike loved his family, his wife Pam, his children, Shana and David and his grandchildren. He made friends easily, hardly ever met a stranger.

We miss Mike,our beloved brother, husband, father,and grandfather. Bless his heart.

"Mike, with tears in our eyes we bid you goodbye for now, we'll meet again when we cross the river."

As an old Saint told me when my mother died.

"He's probably already heard the angels singing."