Harold Gene Thornton

Gene was born to Ernest and Isa Lee Thornton on December 23, 1940 in Lindsay, CA, the first of four children. Gene graduated as class valedictorian from Patterson Union High School in Patterson, CA in 1959. Next, he attended Oregon State University where in 1963 he received a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. Upon graduation from OSU, Gene received an Army commission and served for two years mostly in Germany. Gene studied at Stanford University after his military service, where he received an MBA. For the next decade he raised a family and worked as an accountant for Southern Pacific in San Francisco.

Gene finally indulged his natural entrepreneurial spirit in 1978 when he became co-owner of HH Forest Tree Nursery in Sebastopol, CA. After selling the nursery years later, Gene bought North Bay Payroll Company in Santa Rosa, CA. Through his trademark of discipline, hard work, and honesty, Gene built North Bay Payroll into a thriving enterprise servicing hundreds of other businesses throughout Northern California. After selling North Bay Payroll Gene served as consulting accountant for other local businesses until his retirement.

Gene was an active member of the Rotary Club for over 20 years. Not a person to sit idle, he became of member of SIRS and served a term as president of the Novato chapter during his later years.

Gene was a life-long student in the game of Bridge, attaining the highest rank awarded to competitive bridge players: Life Master, in the 1980s. His other interests and hobbies included history, political science, baseball, and country music. Most of all he enjoyed attending his grandchildren's plays, and sporting events.

Gene will be remembered by those who knew him as a man of uncommon integrity, humor, and chivalry. His infectious laugh and deep love of family will leave a hole in the lives of all who knew him.

Gene Thornton is survived by his cat Duke, his loving wife of 33 years Blair, his sons, Jeff and Tim, and his grandchildren, Casey, Alyssa, and Lorien.