Leon "Fella" Thurman, 64, of Shelby, NC passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby.

Leon Thurman was born on June 26, 1960 to the late Johnny Ulysses "Harvey"Thurman and the late Jessie Davenport Ponder.

Leon attended Shelby High School and Burns High School, but he was a Golden Lion at heart.

He was employed at Patterson Greenhouse and Florist, Hickory Manufacturing, Clevemont Mills and Allen's Junkyard until he became disabled.

Leon loved to dance and entertain and make people laugh. He was a fun loving and outgoing person. He loved his family and friends. Leon loved music and sports., especially basketball and football. He was an outstanding basketball player. Favorite teams were Pittsburgh Steelers, Duke and LA Lakers. His Hobbies were pitching corn holes,. He was a member of the famous corn hole team called Shelltown Baggers. He also loved dancing and going all over town with his speakers to DJ .

He is preceded in death by his sons Leon Thurman Jr. and Danny Cole Gelsinger; brothers Johnny Lewis Ponder, Avery B. Ponder , Gregory Thurman , Steve Thurman and Perry Thurman; sister Brenda Thurman; maternal grandfathers Bee Davenport and John Thurman; maternal grandmothers Connie Mae Surratt and Daisey Malone; stepmother Ruthie Thurman and stepfather Johnny Ponder.

He is survived by his sons Tyreece Wray and Leondre Thurman; daughters LeAnn Thurman Hopper, Leondrea Thurman and Leonya Thurman; brothers Jerry Thurman(Kim) and Rodney Thurman (Kristine); sisters Connie Ponder (Kenny),Vangie Ponder McDuffie(Willie), Ruby Thurman Bostic(Calvin),Linda Thurman and Sharon Thurman Crank.; special aunts Wanda Davenport Taylor, Annie Thurman Whisnant and Shirley Bridges, 13 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and a host of niece, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Changers Church in Shelby, NC at 3:30 p.m.