• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Generous!We Are Having Fun!We Are Presidential!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Lowell Thurston

By MarionMade! on February 13, 2017

LOWELL THURSTON: DECADES OF SERVICE AND FAMILY FIRST.
Lowell Thurston entrepreneur, family man, Marion citizen. The graduate of Bowling Green University was raised on his family’s farm in Deshler, Oh. Where he grew up with his four siblings and 2,000 turkeys. While majoring in accounting, he had the privilege of studying alongside his sister and mother as they attended BG at the same time. Thurston then tried a few career paths, but took little interest. In 1971, Mrs. Thurston purchased a tie tack for her husband from Carroll’s Jewelers. Their lives were about to change.
“I didn’t know a ruby from a garnet,” Thurston claims. But, soon enough, he was on the way to gemologist school. A few short years later, in 1974, Thurston purchased Carroll’s Jewelers from the Carroll’s who had ownership since 1934.  For Thurston, sales were instilled at a young age; he even won an Emerson radio in school for top magazines sales. Advice Thurston shares with businesses is ‘finding a niche.’ Carroll’s niche is service. Build a good reputation, like an old fashion hand shake.
A common theme among Carroll’s employee’s is decades of service and family first. Different family needs all met due to the number one rule, family first. Through the years, Thurston has experienced business in other locations, but the heart of his business always comes back to Marion. Thurston is a father of two and grandfather of six. Both his children attended Marion City Schools — to which he accredits a portion of his children’s success.
The love of this community is what caused Thurston to settle his family here in 1966. One reason Thurston states simply, “The size, knowing others provides a sense of comfort.” Thurston mentions affordability and states, “My wife and I could retire, move to Florida. We won’t, we like it here!”

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Kids and Families Find Fun at the Explore-It-Torium

    One retired teacher took the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum from an idea to a reality in 2019. The 10,000 square foot museum of play at the historic Carnegie Library at 224 S. Main Street. After honing her business plan in The Forge business classes, Cindy Binns used volunteers and grants to offer children and families a […]Read More »
  • Jer-Zee Drive-In Opens for 75th Year

    Under cold skies with temperatures just above freezing, Marion residents lined up for the opening of the Jer-zee Drive-In at 923 East Center Street for its 75th year. Kevin Ellinwood was first in line on Valentine’s Day. “I’ve been coming here on Opening Day for 49 years,” Ellinwood said. As a child, Ellinwood grew up […]Read More »
  • Memorial to Marion Soldiers, Sailors and Public Servants at Marion Cemetery

    Generations of Marion County residents have fought for our country. Inside the broad gates of the Historic Marion Cemetery stand memorials to service members from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and World War II as well as local law enforcement and firefighters. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Chapel The Soldiers’ […]Read More »
  • Wilson Bohannan Lock Company

    160 Years of being “Well Built” Though the history of Wilson Bohannan Lock Company does not begin in Marion, Ohio, it does in Brooklyn, New York, in 1860.  Out of a small shop set up in the garage behind Wilson Bohannan’s modest home, he and his son Wilson Todd Bohannan began assembling padlocks.  This was […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image