Thomas Moughon Thurston

September 2, 1936- August 27, 2024 

 Thomas Moughon Thurston, 87, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, in Forsyth after a brief illness. Mony, as he was known to most people, was born on September 2, 1936, in Haddock, Georgia to Beverly and Alice Thurston. 

 He was a 1954 graduate of Jones County High School, where he met his wife Barbara. They were married in November of 1954 and briefly lived in Macon before moving to Forsyth in 1955. He began his 37 year career with the Georgia Army National Guard that same year. He retired in 1992 as a Chief Warrant Officer. After retirement, he worked for ten years at Georgia Military Institute in Macon. 

 During his career he was awarded the Department of Defense Distinctive Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal for the 48th Infantry Brigade, the Outstanding Guardsman Award, and the U.S. Department of the Army Service Award. 

 In the 1960s, he was the coach of the Golden Rams, one of the first youth football teams in Monroe County. He also filmed Friday night games for the Monroe Academy football team for eight years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was known for his home- grown tomatoes and shared them with many friends and neighbors over the years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Forsyth. 

 He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Barbara Hardeman Thurston, who passed away in September of 2020. 

 He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Phillip Bell of Barnesville, his grandson and his wife, Thomas Braxton Bell and Breanna Hall Bell of Athens, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tony and Luan Hardeman of Buckhead, sister-in-law Brenda Hardeman of Stockbridge, and several nieces and nephews. 

 A Visitation/Reception will be held in memory of both Mony and Barbara Thurston on Sunday, September 8th from 3:00-5:00 at Monroe County Memorial Chapel. Burial will be private in Monroe Hills Memorial Gardens. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Heartland Hospice, 5400 Riverside Drive, Suite #200, Macon, Georgia 31210. 

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences. 

 Monroe County Memorial Chapel 86 West Main Street Forsyth Georgia Has charge of arrangements.