Park H. Thurling
Wed, 12/16/2015 - 8:51pm
News Staff
Park H. Thurling Jr., 89, of Huntsburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Dec. 11 at UH-Geauga Medical Center. He was born in Willoughby, Ohio, on April 5, 1926 to the late Park H. and Yulah (Smith) Thurling Sr. He lived in Huntsburg since the age of 9 and graduated from Huntsburg High School in 1944. At age 17, Park enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served towards the end of WWII. He married his classmate and first love, June Anita Strong, on Jan. 12, 1947. They are now once again reunited after June died in 1985. He attended plumbing school, opening another chapter in his life. Park enjoyed engineering and helped build the Huntsburg Park Pavilion in 1952. He purchased the “Hill” (a potato field) promoting a Soap Box Derby location for the town kids, gaining the name “The Racing Hill.” It was used in the winter for sled riding by all.
The Thurlings sold pears from their orchard and later opened J.P. Propane Gas Service in 1957; incorporating in 1958. The “J” stood for June and the “P” for Park. He named their driveway “Park Place” on the survey maps (derived from the Monopoly Board Game). Park was president of the Huntsburg Little League Organization in 1958. He was a church deacon and trustee for the Huntsburg Church for many years and was a lifetime member establishing memorial funds in June’s name. Park and June were among the original charter members of the “Huntsburg 49ers” organization. During the ‘50s and ‘60s, Park was an active member of the Scottish Rite, becoming a 32nd Degree Mason.
Park will be missed by children Tim A. (Janet) Thurling of Gunnison, Colo., Tad Park (Sandi) Thurling of Huntsburg, Jayme (Daniel B.) Brown of Indian Springs, Nev.; grandchildren Trevor (Stephanie) Thurling of Minn., Spencer Thurling of Gunnison, Britney June Cato of Las Vegas, Nev., Clayton, Kelly and Clark Thurling, all of Huntsburg; two great-grandchildren, Calvin and Griffin, with a third arriving soon; and many friends. Park is preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife of 38 years, June. A graveside service was held at Dec. 14 at Huntsburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Park and June’s honor are requested to be sent to the Huntsburg Grange, 12470 Clay St., Middlefield, Ohio 44062.
