Thomas Joseph Thornton, Sr. was born March 9, 1932 and passed away into his new life on August 17, 2022. Tom was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame and remained an avid Fighting Irish fan until the end. After college, he served honorably in the United States Navy. In his younger days, you could often find Tom at the beach or Lake Martin where he loved boating and sailing. He was a devoted member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he and his wife Barbara were founding members.
He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Barbara Alline Blake Thornton, his parents Mary Meehl Thornton and William Littleton Thornton Sr., his brothers William Littleton Thornton Jr. and James Thornton, his son Thomas Joseph Thornton Jr., and his daughter Terry Thornton Stanphill. He is survived by his brother Patrick A. Thornton (Ann), sister Annette Thornton Anderson and his four daughters: Susan Thornton, Linda Thornton Watson (Jim), Patty Thornton, Dottie Thornton and daughter in law Sarah Hillhouse Thornton. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Kate Watson Roy (Mike), Maggie Watson Fisher (Reid), Andrew Watson, Quinn Stanphill, Caroline Stanphill Arrington (Zach), Barbara Thornton Lowry (Wade) and Jane Thornton, and his four great grandchildren: Patrick and Grace Roy and Reynolds and Thornton Fisher.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Monday, August 22 at 12:00 noon. Private burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, or St. Bernard Abbey, Cullman, AL.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Thornton family.
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