James Irving Thornton

James Irving Thornton was born on May 1, 1925 in a shotgun house in Slaton Texas, James is the son of Elliot “E.I.”, and mother Bettie Thornton. James served in the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II as a machinist mate stationed at Subic Bay, Philippines. James was a very generous and unassuming person. No matter how a person looked or what their walk, he never held them in judgment. Having lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Colorado, and New Mexico, Ohio is perhaps the most important as it was there that he met his wife of 61 years, Mary K. Thornton at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. There, James earned a masters degree in music education, going on to teach music to all levels of students, conduct concert band and orchestras, and to play all the woodwind instruments and piano, specializing on the bassoon. Many of his students stayed in touch with him even after his teaching career was over. James’ love of music also carried him to compose and arrange music for concert band. James and his wife Mary loved to travel. They enjoyed getting to see the sights and sounds of the different parts of the US. They took their children on many camping trips and excursions, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time as a family. Later in life when Mary came down with Alzheimer’s, James was there to take the most perfect care of his beloved wife, and was always there for her when she needed him. James goes on to join his wife and is survived by his children: Scott Thornton, Carol Ann Thornton, Lisa Thompson, Tom Thornton, and Jane Pillars. James also leaves behind his 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and his niece Kathleen Broughton and her husband Curt. There will be a memorial service held at Ted Dickey Funeral Home on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 2 PM.