Dohn Delano Thornton

Dohn Delano Thornton, 69, of Orlando, Fla., formerly of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 in Orlando.
Mr. Thornton was born Sept. 19, 1939 in Dudley. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1957, and was a lettered player for the Mules football team.
Mr. Thornton proudly served his country and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. Mr. Thornton had a successful career that spanned over 30 years as a sales and marketing manager for Union Pacific Railroad.
During his life Mr. Thornton had many passions. He shared his love of sports by volunteer coaching and being actively involved in his son's athletic development.
He also loved history and politics and was an avid reader. He loved learning and kept an eagerness to gain more knowledge until his last days. He loved country music and experimented with writing country songs that were based on his life. Mr. Thornton's sense of humor was contagious and the way he told stories will be fondly remembered.
Mr. Thornton was a member of The Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong belief in God.
Mr. Thornton married his high school sweetheart, the former Betty Lou Sells, who preceded him in death on February 4, 1994 and they had four children.
Survivors include his children: Christina Thornton of Omaha, Neb., Dohn Delano Thornton II of Orlando, Fla., Erin Zhurkin of Leeds, England and Matt Thornton of Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren: Samuel Joseph Thornton, Jacob Hyrum Thornton, Addison Reese Thornton, Daniel David Thornton, Natasha Thornton, Megan Elizabeth Thornton, Evangeline Thornton and Amelie Grace Zhurkin; sisters: Doris-Ann Mortimer, of Memphis, Tenn. and Edith Marsh, of St. George, Utah; and brother, Bill Thornton, of Ft. Worth, Tex., his step-mother, Algarine Thornton of Petal, Ms. and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, L. M. ""Pete"" Thornton and Lois Katherine (Smothers) Thornton, and two brothers, Gerald Thornton and Michael Thornton preceded Mr. Thornton in death.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel with Robert Mortimer officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.