John Mack Thornton
John Mack Thornton passed from this earth Thursday, January
13 at age 94. He was born on the wind blown foothills of the
Little Snowies in a log cabin on Swimming Woman Creek Oct. 14,
1916. His mother Cora Hope (Mitchell Jacues) and his father John
Asa Thornton homesteaded near Rothemay, Montana. His world was
turned upside down at age 14 when his father died after a fall
from a horse. John became the man of the family. He was also
older brother to Mary Elizabeth (Betty) and Frona (Tony). His
family then moved to Billings, starting a grocery on Miles
Avenue.
After his high school years, John joined the Air Force where he
had a distinguished career, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel.
While stationed in California he fell in love at first sight
with a petite flame of Portuguese fire, Lourdes De Silva. They
were married December 18, 1937 in San Francisco. He became her
constant companion for 73 years as they traveled the world with
the Air Force: Washington D.C., New York City, Morocco, Japan.
His family back in Montana was very proud of him and was
always excited when Uncle John would come home for a visit.
John and Lourdes had one son, Johnny, who died tragically at
age 23 in a traffic accident in Japan. Their love for him
never waned; he never left their hearts or minds.
After a career with the Air Force, John began work for the
State of Nebraska in Lincoln. Retirement took the couple to
Arizona, then California and finally back to Montana in 1998
to be near his sisters.
John Mack was preceded in death by his parents, his son
Johnny, his sister Mary E. ‘Betty’ (Goffena), and his sister
Frona ‘Tony’ (Moody). He is survived by his loving wife
Lourdes and his nieces and nephews.
He will be buried at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park with full military honors. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, January 19 at 2 pm. Condolences may be sent to Lourdes Thornton, 4001 Bell Ave., Apt. 260, Billings, MT 59106
Remembrances
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