Hunter Douglas Thuro

Hunter Douglas Thuro, beloved son, brother, father, nephew, and friend, passed away tragically on August 8, 2025, in a motorcycle accident in Lawrence, Kansas. He was 29 years old. Hunter was born on March 4, 1996, to Dwight and Renee Thuro at the Olathe Medical Center.

Growing up in Wellsville, Hunter could often be found riding his bike around town. He loved tinkering with his Grandpa Thuro on old tractors or working with his dad on their land. From childhood into adulthood, Hunter could fix almost anything with a motor. Hunter loved to take things apart, from chainsaws to trucks, to see how they worked and put them back together again. Hunter attended school in Wellsville, graduating from Wellsville High School in 2014. Throughout his school years, Hunter was a multi-talented athlete, playing baseball, running track and cross-country, and playing basketball. All four years of high school, Hunter qualified for the state track meet and medaled several times. In 2014, Hunter placed 4th in the 300 hurdles at the Kansas Relays with a time of 39.71. Hunter’s 2011 Wellsville High School relay team still holds the school’s 4th and 5th place records for the 4 x 800 meter, and 4th place in 2014 for the 4 x 400 relay. Hunter also holds the school’s 2nd-place and 4th-place records for the 110-meter hurdles, both in 2014, and the 1st place for the 300 m hurdle in 2014.

An accomplished student, Hunter was valedictorian of his graduating class. After high school, Hunter went on to study at Wichita State University from 2014-2015, where he made the Dean’s list, and the University of Kansas from 2015-2016, before beginning his career as a concrete mason. Hunter worked in construction and on concrete installation jobs for many years. He prided himself on his quality of work and always took the time to create a well-executed project for his clients.

Hunter had a passion for animals, especially dogs, and cared immensely for taking care of the environment. His interests included permaculture, composting, soil restoration, and other principles of sustainability. He enjoyed fishing, riding dirt bikes, and nearly any other outdoor recreation.

Hunter loved children, from cousins to his younger siblings, and was overjoyed to become a parent himself. He was a dedicated father to his son, Lukas Wade, 4, who he lovingly referred to as “LW”. Hunter and Lukas loved swimming together so much so that a recent family photo included Hunter holding Lukas, both dripping wet, Lukas still wearing his goggles. Lukas always loved hearing his dad tell him “You’re Daddy’s smart boy,” and “You’re Daddy’s sweet boy,” almost as much as he loved their tickle fights.

Hunter is survived by his son, Lukas Thuro; his parents, Dwight (Anne) Thuro Jr. and Renee (Craig) Peterson; his siblings, Hillary Newman, Victoria Thuro, and Grayson Thuro, stepsister, Ariel (Jacob) Whitely-Noll, his niece, Micah Newman, and nephew, Taryn Newman, and many beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends. Hunter was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dwight Thuro Sr. and Nancy Thuro, his maternal grandparents, Douglas Ebneter and Margaret Ebneter, and his aunt Christine Thuro.

Visitation will be at Wilson’s Funeral Home on Friday, August 15th from 6pm-8pm. A funeral for Hunter will be held at Wilson’s Funeral Home at 10:00am, Saturday August 16th, 2025. Donations in Hunter’s memory can be made to Renee Peterson for the benefit of Lukas Wade Thuro.

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