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Thurman “Sonny” Isner passed away surrounded by family Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, in John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Although Sonny fought valiantly, he lost his battle with lung cancer.
Sonny chose to be cremated, and his remains will be interred in the Isner Cemetery at a later date.
Thurman Isner and Leona Marie Isner were blessed with their first son, Thurman Delton Isner, March 23, 1952, in Elkins. He was surrounded in life by his loving siblings, Betsy, Vallie, Sharon, Earl, Richard, Bonnie, Johnette and Randy. His sister, Vallie, gave him the nickname “Sonny” when he was little, and it stayed with him throughout his entire life.
Sonny is survived by his ever supportive and loving wife, Deborah Ann Kukla Isner, who resides in Laurel, Md. He met his beautiful wife when he was 18. Debbie knew the day she first saw Sonny that he was the man she was going to marry, and on Aug, 18, 1973, she did just that.
Sonny and Debbie were blessed with two amazing children. Jessica was born in February 1977. Matthew followed 2 1/2 years later, in September of 1979.
Sonny and Debbie watched their daughter marry her high school sweetheart, Jason Byrd, in 1996. Jessica and Jason welcomed their son, Bryson, in November of 2005. Bryson was the light of Sonny’s life, and he treasured every day with him.
Debbie and Sonny received another special gift in September 2012. When Matthew married his wife, Chrissy, Sonny and Debbie inherited a second grandson, Matthew’s stepson, Liam, who is now 16.
A proud West Virginian from birth, Sonny graduated from Elkins High School in 1970. He was a huge West Virginia Mountaineers fan, loved playing sports, especially basketball and rooted for the Washington Redskins for a very long time.
Sonny fought through polycystic kidney disease. He survived through two different kidney transplants; one in 1984 and one in 1991. His second kidney lasted more than 25 years. Sonny respected and honored his donor every day of his life.
Sonny was a very hard worker. He worked in construction, specializing in aluminum and vinyl siding. He frequently traveled from West Virginia to Maryland for work, which is how he ended up in Laurel. He was even able to pass the knowledge he had down to his son and son-in-law.
Sonny was a great man with a wicked sense of humor. He loved making people laugh, which is why his extended family from Facebook was so important to him. Sonny loved all things old style – especially VW Beetles and Campers. He loved caving, sports, being outdoors and truly loved camping with family and friends. He was even known for giving a good scare a time or two … or three.
What Sonny loved most was his family. He was a father figure to so many people. Sonny was always one to be a loving parent – even to kids that weren’t biologically his. His love for his wife was unyielding. Even at his sickest, he would still look at Debbie, his wife of almost 43 years, with almost a sort of awe and tell her how beautiful she was. He meant it.
Please join with Sonny’s family as they celebrate his life with a barbecue Saturday, Aug. 13, from 3-7 p.m. at his sister’s residence at 112 Wilson St. in Elkins. As per Sonny’s request, this is a very informal event so don’t dress up! We encourage family and friends to gather to share stories, memories, and laughter in Sonny’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the National Kidney Foundation or the Free to Breathe Foundation.