Thurston Delane Muskelly Sr. 89, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on December 24, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. He was born in Union, South Carolina on April 12, 1933. Thurston was the second of four children; born to the loving parents, Edward “ED” Muskelly and Eloise Talley Muskelly. He accepted Christ at an early age.
Thurston was educated in the Public Schools of Rowan County, North Carolina and was a graduate of J.C. Price High School, Salisbury, North Carolina. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Korean War on the USS. Albany. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Thurston was stationed in Pensacola, Florida and where he met the love of his life, Joyce Carlene Andrews.
On the 10th day of July, 1954. Thurston married his sweetheart, Joyce Carlene Andrews in Lucedale, Mississippi. From this union, a son Thurston Edward Muskelly was born in 1955.
In 1960, Thurston and Joyce relocated to Seattle, WA. Thurston became employed at the Seattle’s US Public Hospital for 29 years as a Mechanical Engineer. While working at the Seattle’s US Public Hospital, Thurston received a Certificate of Completion in Labor Law. In 1970-1981, Thurston became the First African American President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local Union 1170.
As President of the (AFGE) Local Union 1170, representing employees of Seattle’s United States Public Health Service Hospital, Thurston D. Muskelly Sr. was a founding member and leader of the Public Health Care Coalition, a grassroots organization that waged a twelve-year battle to save the landmark hospital on Beacon Hill. In that capacity, he worked closely with Senator Warren Magnuson and lobbied in the halls of Congress on behalf of the hospital’s patients and employees. In 1980, the Coalition Thurston helped to lead convinced the City Government to create a public development authority to take over the hospital from the Federal Government, and fought successfully for the transfer of the hospital to local control. As a result of the work of Thurston and his compatriots, the successor organization (Pacific Medical Centers) provides health care to more than 100,000 Seattle-area residents, and the hospital building houses Seattle Central College’s health care training programs, as well as fourteen other public and non-profit programs.
For those that worked with him, Thurston was more than a leader; he was a teacher, a friend, and an inspiration.
After retiring from Seattle’s US Public Hospital, Thurston and Joyce became faithful members of the Central Area Senior Citizen Center. Because of his love for politics and serving his community; from 1998-2020. In 2014-2018, Thurston served as Board President of Central Area Senior Citizen and Central Area Development Association.
Later years, Thurston continue to serving his community; and became one of the founding members of the Free Clinics. He immediately had key roles to the rebuilding of Powell Barnett and Flo Ware Parks, and later, received a Key to the City of Seattle, marking his birthday April 12th as an official day. Thurston and Joyce continue to be dedicated and faithful members at the Central Area Senior Center; and Thurston was awarded many Community Service Awards throughout the years.
Thurston and Joyce celebrated 64 memorable years together, before she passed in 2019.
Thurston was proceeded in death by his parents: Edward “ED” Muskelly and Eloise Talley-Muskelly; and his devoted wife of 64 years Joyce Carlene Muskelly; Twin Daughters Eloise and Loise Muskelly; Sisters: Grace Muskelly and Rosemelle Witherspoon; and his Brother: James Fletcher Muskelly, and God-Son Milton Burns.
Thurston leaves to cherish his memory: his son, Thurston Edward Muskelly (Cheryl); Grandchildren: Terrele Edward Davis (Dawnet), Thurston Delane Muskelly II, Chelsea Muskelly-James (William); Great Grandchildren: Anayas Mariah Davis, Terrele Edward Davis Jr., and Liam Legend James; Adopted Daughter: Bella Richi (Nephew Donald), Godchildren: Bertha Morris, Darren A. Wilson (Nephew Dezmond), Shannyn Davis Griffin, LaTanya Davis, LaCaisa Ebron and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
