Leonard Oris Thurston, Jr., 94

Leonard Oris Thurston, Jr., 94, of Madisonville passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Ridgewood Health & Rehab. He was born in Corbin, Kentucky to the late Leonard Thurston, Sr. and Naomi Thurston. He was an amazing and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved his family and being together with all of them. He was loved by so many and will be so very missed. He was in the U.S. Army and afterwards in the Armoy National Guard. He was a lineman for Kentucky Utilities for many years. He was a hard worker his whole life. He loved to fish and was a master gardener. He could grow a vegetable garden out of this world…especially his prized tomatoes! He faced many challenges in his life and was a strong fighter through them all. He loved to talk about his Jesus to everyone he knew. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Dottie Thurston, his mother and father; his step-father, Dexter Williams, and his sister, June Conyers. Survivors include his children, Vicki Gratzke and Vanessa Thurston, Kenny (Nancy) Long, Rick (Lydia) Long and Kim Long; his grandchildren, Kim (Joe) Babich, Don Gratzke; Amber Long, Brad (Laura) Long, Kyle (Kara) Long and Kacey Long; his great grandchildren, Cora Babich; Tenlee Long, Grayson Long, and Henry Long; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Thomas and his brother-in-law, Roger (Sandy) Hunter; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M. Thursday, August 14 at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home conducted by Bro. Michael Knight and his grandsons, Kyle Long and Brad Long officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time Thursday at Barnett Strother Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Brad Long, Kyle Long, Jaxen Thomas, Roger Hunter, Scott Hunter, and Joe Babich. The family would like to thank Ridgewood Health & Rehab for all they did for him and all of the family.