Obituary of Edward Lee Thurber

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward Lee Thurber, who died peacefully in his Loveland home on November 8, 2023. He will be sadly missed, but with confident assurance of Heaven as his final home.

Ed, as he was known by his family and friends, is survived by his sisters, Rebecca Thurber and Penelope Suazo Thurber, and his brother Gene Thurber.  He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Susan Romero and Dora Vigil, and a brother, Joseph Suazo. 

Ed was born May 18, 1956, in Denver, Colorado to Mary Suazo Thurber and Marvin L. Thurber.  He graduated in 1974 from Merritt Hutton High School in Thornton, Colorado. After high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from CU Boulder, Colorado.  He then managed Elcar Fence Company for 22 years, in Denver, Colorado.

Ed, who never married or had children, left behind several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was closest to his nieces, Heather Thurber, daughter of Rebecca, and Mary Poignard, daughter of Penelope, and nephews, Nicholas and Christopher Poignard, sons of Penelope. He was loved and will be missed by his close friends, George and Loy.

Ed was blessed with a high IQ, and had a complex way of thinking, feeling, and reasoning, which often was misunderstood. He was a perfectionist and took pride in decorating his home and doing things in a meticulous manner. Ed’s green chili was the best, and his family suggested that he patent it. He also loved muscle cars, and owned an AMX which took best in show at Bandimere Speedway, once for first place and then second place.  Ed also loved classic rock sounds of Phil Collins, of the Genesis Rock Band, Sting, Elton John, Duran Duran, and various other artists of the 80’s era.

Ed worked part time for the city of Aurora recreation center, and successfully, in one day, passed the rigors of their weight and exercise program.  He went on to give classes as needed for the city, while working as their front-end computer specialist.

Ed loved reading the Bible, especially the Psalms, and was fascinated by biblical and world history. He loved his cat, Buster, and had a soft heart for shelter cats and kittens, adopting several over his lifetime.  Ed also played “Secret Santa” to single mothers in his neighborhood, dropping off clothes, toys, and food he ordered anonymously to them at Christmas time.  We called him our “Christmas angel” because he loved buying small gifts for his immediate family but took pride in how he wrapped and decorated the packages more than the gift itself.

Ed will be cremated with no continued funeral services to respect his last wishes. He wanted to extend his love to family and friends, and because of escalating health issues, could not travel to visit anyone.