Stephen Wood Thurston

Stephen was born May 9, 1935 in Logan, Utah; the third child of Stephen James and Ethlyn Thurston. Stephen loved horses from a very young age, using a fence to climb up onto a horse that his legs could not properly span. He made sure to have access to at least one horse throughout his life. After graduating from high school and attending Utah State University for two years, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Southern California. Before he left to serve a mission, he met a very nice, pretty, young woman while working at the Del Monte canning Factory. Once he returned from California two years later, he made sure to go see that young woman as soon as possible. Stephen and Janet (that nice young woman) were married in June of 1958, and were blessed with four children. They spent the next several years working on Stephen’s education, which included a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (minors in Education and Business), a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and a PhD in Educational Administration. Stephen’s working career included working in for the Cache County School District for 27 years; including teaching, guidance counselor, Sky View High Vice Principal, Sky View High School Principal, Elementary School Supervisor, and Superintendent. After retiring from the school district, Stephen worked as the Executive Director of the Logan Child and Family Support Center, and the Administrator for the Eccles Theatre. Stephen also spent many years in civic service (Mayor of Hyde Park, President of Hyde Park Lions club), and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints service (High Council, Bishop). He also found time to “relax” by engaging in his life-long hobby of farming. However, Stephen considered his greatest accomplishment and most treasured gift to be his family. Stephen is survived by his wife Janet, son Troy (Julie), daughter Francine (Mitchell), daughter Stephanie (Rob), son Lance (Amber), 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS chapel located at 42 West 200 South, Hyde Park, Utah, with a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. An additional viewing will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the same location.