Thurrel Ray Jeffries

Jeffries, Thurrel R. (AKA T.R., Jeff, Pops, Papa, Luke-the-drifter) 88, passed away April 3, 2018, in El Dorado, Kansas. Thurrel was born in Geneseo, Kansas on March 10, 1930, to the late Calvin and Esther (Peverly) Jeffries. On September 17, 1981, he married Frances Morris in El Dorado.
Thurrel retired from Koch Industries as a welder, after which he began a small business grinding stumps. Of his life-long accomplishments, he was most proud to be 1 of 9 children as he had endless love and respect for his family. He extended this same level of commitment and loyalty throughout his life whether when going through the depression, working on various jobs, serving in the Army during the Korean War, or spending time with family and friends. He was known by all as a shy and quiet man with boundless patience, a warm sense of humor and an unyielding drive to do what he thought should be done.
You could see through all the countless pictures he took and all the things he collected, that he found beauty and use in everything in life. This paved the way for him to do things like hike the Yukon trail, pan for gold in Alaska, and move from job to job in various places to include Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and California. He lived fully serving others with a good sense of humor, helping hand, a warm friendly smile, cup of coffee and a twinkle in his eye.
Thurrel is survived by his brother, Willard Jeffries of Hood River, Oregon; sisters, Evethelyn Baxter of Portland, Oregon, Marie Capps (Bob) of Carthage, Missouri; step daughters, Crystal Hummel (Russ) of Towanda, and Tammy Payton (Dennis) of Mooresville, Indiana; several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances in 1994; brothers, Ansel, Kenneth and Duane Jeffries; sisters, Nadene Thomas and Evethel Jeffries.
His family will gather with friends on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. at the Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, April 5, at 3:30 p.m., at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody, Kansas.
Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Interim Healthcare & Hospice, 9920 East Harry, Wichita, Kansas 67207. Please sign his online guest book and leave a memory of Thurrel at www.carlsoncolonial.com.

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