Paul Thornton, 99

Funeral services for Paul Thornton, 99 of Theodosia, were held Oct. 30, 2017, at Salem General Baptist Church in Ocie. Mr. Thornton died Oc. 24 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon.

He was born July 14, 1918, in Fair Play, the son of Harve and Jennie Braly Thornton. He graduated from School of the Ozarks in 1936. He joined the Army in October 1941 and was honorably discharged in September 1945. During World War II he served in Italy and in Trinidad.

On Aug. 7, 1944, he married Doris Ledbetter. They lived in Branson and then Nottinghill before moving to Springfield. After his retirement in 1974 from Foremost Dairies, they moved to Theodosia.

He liked to hunt and fish, and he bowled on several bowling teams while living in Springfield. He enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and kids and was quite competitive. He liked bluegrass music and for many years went camping at bluegrass festivals all over Missouri and Arkansas. He couldn’t play an instrument and was not a singer, but occasionally would entertain everyone, especially fellow residents at the Missouri Veterans Home, with his very loud yodel.

After retirement, the Thorntons put out a huge garden at their home in Theodosia; if it could be grown in Missouri, they grew it. He loved sorghum, and every other year he would grow sorghum cane. The 50 gallons or so he would produce would last about two years – until he was ready to grow another patch.

Survivors include two daughters, Paulette Gebhardt of Springfield and Patricia Krause and husband Jay of Kimberling City; three grandchildren, Michael Gebhardt and wife Jennifer of Port Charlotte, Florida, Micki Seeser of Long Beach, California, and Jenni Dunbar and husband Mark of Highlandville; one great-granddaughter, Sydney Gebhardt of Springfield; one great-great-granddaughter, Harper Gebhardt of Springfield; one 95 year-old sister, Opal Thomas, of Springfield, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Glen and Lester Thornton; one nephew and two nieces.

Burial was in the Lutie Cemetery in Theodosia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, 1600 S. Hickory, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423