Mr. James Russell Thornton's Obituary
Mr. James Russell Thornton, age 73, passed away Thursday morning, December 5, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 4, 1940 in Harrisville, MI to W.W. “Bill” and Evelyn (Gilpin) Thornton. Mr. Thornton was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and graduated from GVSU. He was Manager of Rate Design for Entergy, Inc. for 18 years before retiring in 2003, and had also worked for Consumers Power Company for 13 years. His career took him to Jackson, MI, Beaumont, TX, and Little Rock, AK. Mr. Thornton was a member of the American Legion Post #9, the NRA, was an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt, fish, and create wood carvings. On September 21, 1962 he married the former Janice R. Davis in Muskegon and she survives him along with 3 daughters, Shelly Thornton of Grants, New Mexico; Kristina (Mike) Bell of Jackson, MI; Ginger (Wayne) Brunt of Houston, TX; 4 grandchildren, Megan and Lauren Bell, Autumn and Andrew Parker; brother, Larry (Sandy) Thornton of Marquette, MI; sister-in-law, Kay (Jim) DeVries of Muskegon; brother-in-law, Charles Davis of Grand Haven; many special nieces and nephews, and many great friends from in and out of state; and his beloved and faithful companion “Rusty”. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 1:00 PM Monday, December 23, 2013 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100, with Rev. John H. Brown officiating. VISITATION with the family will be one hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS to Harbor Hospice will be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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