Van A. Thurston

Van A. Thurston, 89 of Gainesville died Tuesday February 1, 2022.

Born in Marvel, Arkansas, Mr. Thurston was a former resident of Dalton, Georgia before moving to Hall County a number of years ago.  He was the son of the late Burt and Willie Belle VanMeter Thurston. Mr. Thurston was a founding member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Dalton, Ga. 

Mr. Thurston was a graduate of Gainesville High School and attended North Georgia College and The Georgia Institute of Technology. He owned and operated Thurston Construction Company in Dalton, Ga. a design-build construction firm. Additionally, his entrepreneurial spirit led him into a number of other businesses over the years.  He oversaw a ministry, alongside the Meloon family (Correct Craft Boats) to assist families in financial difficulty for the last 15 years of his working life. He wrote and published a book, “Hope at the Bottom”, advice for those facing financial challenges utilizing biblical principles.

His focus in life has been his family; his children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. He loved his time at Lake Rabun and found his peace in the mountains. 

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Lee Ann and Frank Harney, Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Van, Jr., and Sarah Brownlee Thurston, Lakemont, Ga., grandchildren, Ike Thurston, Zach Thurston, Tate Harney, Tyler Harney, Kelsey Blalock, Ashlan Rice, great grandchildren, Brooklyn Harney, Bryson Harney, Hughes Thurston, Warner Thurston, Wilder Thurston and Grace Allison. 

Mr. Thurston is preceded in death by his parents, his half sister Valeria Zemar as well as his wife of 59 years, Janet Lee Thurston. 

Funeral services will be held Monday February 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home.  Rev. Mike Taylor will officiate.  Interment will follow at the Alta Vista Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 12:00 p.m. until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions please be made to The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.