Thurman Jennings Mitchell, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, after a brief stay in Hospice Care in Floresvile, TX.  He was born September 15, 1938, in Poteet, TX, and was a lifelong Pleasanton resident.  Thurman descended from two Atascosa County pioneer families, Cook and Lyons with both families arriving in Pleasanton in the mid-1850s. He was the only son of Thurman Jennings and Bonnie Lee Lyons Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, TJ, his sisters, Joan Dowden and Bonnie Beth Kilroy.

Thurman is survived by his wife of 43 years, Camilla Allen Mitchell, daughters, Kristi Beck (Ron), Laurie Hoffman (Jeff), son Mikel Allen (Frances), sister, Freddie Lee Boortz (Lester), grandchildren, Shayla Pro (Jonathan), TJ Mitchell IV, Jamie Aguillon (Isidro), Jordan Eskew, Trey Eskew (Courtney), Reagan Eskew, Riley Besetzny (Blaine), Scarlet, Charisma, and BellaJane Allen, and great-grandchildren, Maddox and Silas Pro, Julie, William and Nora Aguillon, and Charley Eskew, along with many nieces and nephews.

Thurman was a past president of the Pleasanton Cemetery Association, a Master Mason of Pleasanton Lodge No. 283, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton. He graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1957 and attended Texas A & I University and San Antonio Junior College. He was a veteran of the Army Reserves. Thurman began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1960 and retired from the Union Pacific 41 years later.

Thurman was a man of many interests.  He had his pilot license and enjoyed flying his plane to various states, events, and to visit family. He also co-owned several quarter horses and enjoyed going to the races for many years.  He was quite the sports fan and could be found year after year watching the Pleasanton football, baseball, softball, and track events.  He held the Pleasanton High School pole vault record for many years, long after newer and much lighter poles were being used.  He jokingly was called the best coach that the NFL, NBA, and the Pleasanton Athletic Department never knew they had.

Thurman was an avid hunter, fisherman, lover of the outdoors, ingenious fabricator of contraptions for hunting, fishing, and fixing vehicles and things.  He was a prolific story teller, and the unofficial historian of Pleasanton.

He got great joy from his visits with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He loved watching the great grandchildren swing on the swing he built for his children over 50 years ago.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Pall bearers were Isidro Aguillon, Stephen Allen, Ron Beck, Blaine Besetzny, Chris Dowden, Trey Eskew, Jeff Hoffman and Ricky Sralla. Honorary Pall Bearers included George Allen, Ernie Bandy, Lester Boortz, Richard Conroy, Raymond Mann and Terry Thompson.

His funeral service was held on January 23, 2025 at the First Baptist Church followed by interment at the Pleasanton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to The Shriners Children's Hospital at https://lovetotherescue.org/ or you can click the memoral donation button to the left or to any charity of your choice.