On Friday, May 1, Harry “Butch” Mack Thornton, Sr., 75, passed away due to an ongoing illness.
He was devoted to his sweetie, Barbara. Harry also was a loving father, proud “Papa,” “Great Popay,” wonderful brother and a sweet uncle.
Harry was born on January 24, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Perry and Leta Thornton. He was the oldest of nine children. Harry was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War and protected our great country. On May 28, 1966, he married his sweetie, Barbara Jones, and they had three children; Harry Jr., Tina and Tony.
In 1979, he started working for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, where he retired after 20 years of which he was a union steward for 14 of those years.
He then moved back to the Missouri country he so loved to enjoy his retirement. Harry’s true loves in life were his family, the Kansas City Chiefs, John Wayne, cooking for family and friends, Kentucky Fried Chicken and spoiling any of the kids that were close with candy gummy worms.
Survivors include his sweetie, Barbara; son Harry Thornton and wife Trinity, Nevada; daughter Tina Collins and husband Danny of Iola, Kansas; son Tony Thornton and wife Stephanie, Collins; sister Millie Trester of Iola, Kansas; brother Terry Winter and wife Debbie, Forest City, Kansas; brother James Elliott and wife Peggy, Bolivar; sister Frances Branstetter, Humansville; and sister Kim Thomas of Stockton.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Leta; a brother Charlie; two sisters, Cheri Graves and Joetta Waddell; four brothers-in-law, Denny Graves, John Trester, Clyde Branstetter and Troy Thomas.
Harry was a loving grandfather, aka “Papa,” to nine grandchildren; Jeremy, Desi, Cory, Harley, Briar, Torie, Chris, Megan and Shawn. He also was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren.
At this time, no burial plans are made with a celebration of life to come later.
