"Rocky" L.V. Thornton

“Rocky” L.V. Thornton, October 17, 1927 - June 23, 2021 - Born in Blair, TX, grew up in Waco, Texas, Rocky served 1 year in the Army from 1945 to 1946. He was Electroplating Consultant Engineering Process Specialist Engineer. He was Organic and Inorganic Chemist. Worked for James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas from 1948-1960. He designed & built a new Electro-Plating shop at James Connelly AFB. Acting Foreman, he also supervised the building of the plating department & operation. He was responsible for all applications and laboratory control for all general aircraft electro-plating at James Connelly Air Force Base. Rocky also owned-managed a scuba diving shop & taught classes in Waco, TX, then he transferred to Oklahoma City in 1960 to Design & Build, Manage Electro Plating Department at FAA Aeronautical Center. He was experienced in organic, inorganic chemistry. The first Electro-Plating for FAA in Oklahoma City, 1960. Rocky installed the first Bright Gold, Bright Silver, Rhodium and Platinum Plating baths in Oklahoma State was responsible for all laboratory & application control. In 1969, he joined General Electric as Electro-Plating Process Engineer Development, Design Engineering and Control Responsibility. He became consultant for many of the Plating shops in OKC. In 1968, he married ImaJean Murray of Oklahoma City. In 1988, he designed engineered building of Diversified Plating LTD. with partner, Ron G. Morrison. May 1990, they sold the business to Tom Hughes. Rocky repaired antiques, rewired lamps. He enjoyed flying the 7 airplanes he purchased & restored, as well as the 1956 Mercedes; he enjoyed life to the fullest. Rock is survived by wife, ImaJean Thornton, OKC, stepdaughter, Diana J. Smith of Arcadia, daughter, Celeste Blankenship of Austin, Texas. The funeral service in honor of Rocky will take place on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.