In Loving Memory Of...
Rev. Clarence Thornton Jr., 89, of Findlay passed away on Monday, March 7, 2011 at his residence. Clarence was born on October 18, 1921 to Clarence and Maude (Pryor) Thornton, Sr. Clarence was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes. Clarence was awarded 5 bronze campaign stars for participating in 5 major theaters and the Good Conduct metal. As the war ended, Clarence joined in liberating 2 concentration camps, Auschwitz and Dachau. Following the war, Rev. Thornton worked at Western Casualty Insurance Company for 23 years. In 1953, Clarence was ordained a life Elder in the Churches of God, General Conference. Rev. Thornton served in the Western Region, Midwest Regional Conference, and the Great Lakes Conferences and completed his service to Christ’s Church as minister of visitation at the College First Church of God.
Clarence is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doloris Maxine (Saxer) Thornton; children, Joyce L. Thornton and Clarence Leon (Tonia) Thornton; son-in-law, Jerald Clark; grandchildren, Jonathon Bame, Andrea (Tim) Depinet and Clarence Clayton Thornton; great-grandchildren, Madeline and Brynn Depinet; brother, James (Mary) Thornton and special nephews and nieces. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lorraine Campbell; daughter, Janice Thornton Clark; and granddaughter, Heather Clark Bame.
Friends may visit on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd, Findlay (419-422-1500). Funeral Services will held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. with visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the College First Church of God. Memorial contributions in Clarence’s name may be made to Bridge Home Health and Hospice or to the College First Church of God .
27 Condolences to Rev. Clarence Thornton - Send your Condolences
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Leon,
Sorry to hear about your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Jane
I would like to extend my sympathy for your loss. Rev. Thornton was a dear man and true disciple of God. He made a huge impression on me when he was Pastor at the Wharton Church of God and I will never forget Maxine and his kindness for my family when we needed them. God bless you all in this time of sorrow.
Audrey( McMaster) and Doug Hankins
I remember fondly Rev. Thornton and his family when he served as minister of the New York Valley Church of God in rural Yates Center, Kansas. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Sincere Sympathy,
Lyle D. Kee
Chief of Police
Yates Center, KS
My Brother, Clarence was “A Member of the Greatest Generation” Reared thru the depression, he worked his way thru school, graduating from Junior College. He honorably served his country during WW11 by enlisting in the U. S. Army, where he served in combat action for approx. 4 Yrs. Even tho he was a born again Protestant Christian, he truely found the Lord via a Catholic Priest on the battle field. For the remainder of his life he displayed his love for the Lord, his country, wife & family. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family for your loss. Our love and Prayers are with you as we all mourn the loss of a very dear loved one. Pastor Thornton and Maxine you will be forever in our hearts. Pastor Clarence would want nothing less than us to be praising God and rejoicing that he is home at last. May the Lord comfort and bless you, Maxine and your family. We will never forget all the great times we have shared both at the Wharton Church and Findlay Church of God. Pastor Clarence was indeed one of God’s faithful servants on this earth. We know that God welcomed Clarence with open arms , saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have ran the good race.” All our Love and Prayers. Yours in Christ, Bruce and Peggy Long
Our trusted friend and co-worker is fondly remembered and will be greatly missed. Clarence allowed me to come to his Wharton Church to work with the youth there in the early days of my ministry. His love for God and the people he served left a deep impression in my own ministry. God Bless those who are feeling the void he leaves, but rest assured we will all meet him again in his Heavenly home.
I will cherish the wonderful letters Uncle Clarence wrote me throughout the many years. Uncle Clarence always found the time to make sure that I knew he was there for me. My deepest sympathy to Aunt Maxine and family; you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Maxine, just this week I was thinking about you guys & time spent visiting at the KOA in ft. scott. We meet so many truly nice people there despite the hard work. Our symphty to you & your family & thanks for the memories.
bobbi & harry kemna
Leon,
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Roger Holmes
Clarence was often a guest speaker at First Church of God in Fort Scott, Ks. On one of those visits, I gave my heart to the Lord and will always remember Clarence for his message that day. It was so nice to visit with he and Maxine when they were able to return to Fort Scott and visit their church family and friends. He and Maxine made such a lovely couple but, best of all, they were truly God’s servants. Maxine, I am sorry for your loss but I know you will be sustained by your Lord and many friends, family and countless memories.
Maxine, Joyce, Leon, Gerald and family,
May you rest safe in the arms of Jesus as He sustains you with His comfort, compassion, and unending mercy. I am very grateful for your service at the Wharton First Church of God. Thanks for presenting the Word in truth by living it before the congregation and community. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you give your loved one over into the nail-scarred hands of Jesus our Lord and risen Saviour. God Bless, Terri L. Opper
A friend and a co-laborer for the Lord has heard the final call and received the highest commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your Master’s happiness!”
Maxine, Joyce, and all the family, you have my sincerest condolences and prayers.
Maxine,Joyce,Leon and Family: I remember the last time I saw Clarence down at FCOG in Fort Scott and I remember saying to him that “if I don’t you again, I will see you on the other side” and we agreed to look for one another at the Easten Gate. What a tremendous influence the Thorntons had on my life. Clarence helped me with my walk with the Lord and helped guide me in so many ways. There were several men of God at FCOG while I was growing up in Ft. Scott. Joyce and Leon, your Dad was one of kind and you both should be very proud of him. He may not have had a lot of this world’s riches, but if you could see the number people he touched and the number of friends he had, Clarence Thornton was indeed a rich man. Maxine, I know that the Lord will sustain you and your family will surround you. I wish I could be there today and tomorrow, but I can’t. God Bless Chuck Golladay
Sending our love and condolences to the family – our family was blessed to have Pastor Clarence and Maxine minister to our congregation at East Harrison St. Church of God as interim many years ago and we remember him fondly. He had a beautiful spirit and a wonderful connection to the people, and our young family especially, at that time. We felt a special connection to him – one of the best!
MAXINE AND FAMILY,
EACH OF US IS GIVEN PRECIOUS TIME TO SPEND ON EARTH, BUT WE KNOW THE JOURNEY LEADS US TO A HOME OF GREATER WORTH, SOMETIMES THE FATHER TAKES US DOWN A PATH NOT OF OUR CHOICE, BUT WHEN IT LEADS TO HEAVEN, HOW OUR HEARTS AND SOULS REJOICE! AND EARTHLY CARES ALL VANISH WHEN AT LAST WE HEAR GOD SAY, “WELCOME HOME, MY PRECIOUS CHILD, I LED YOU ALL THE WAY.” MAY IT COMFORT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE LOVING ARMS WHICH NOW EMBRACE CLARENCE ARE THE VERY ARMS HOLDING YOU ALL CLOSE IN YOUR SADNESS.
THOUGH YEARS AND MILES HAVE BEEN BETWEEMN US, OUR THOUGHT OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE STILL CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE AND PRAYERS
YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS FROM OAK GROVE
ROSE AND JANET HURD
BERNICE SCHRADER
DOUG & SHERL SCHRADER AND FAMILY
BRENT SCHRADER
Dear Thornton Family,
Clarence will always be in my memories as the man that encouraged others and was a great encourager to me. Very few people know that when I was a young boy that Clarence had car trouble along highway 69 south of Ft. Scott, Kansas and my family helped him out in someway and I received a letter from Clarence, thanking me and telling me he felt God had great things for me.
By God’s grace in later years, our only son, John David was saved in a Revival meeting at First Church of God, Ft. Scott under Clarence’s preaching. We had no idea that in a few years God would call my late wife and I into pastoral ministry. There again, Clarence was a great encourager to us.
Thanking our Heavenly Father for allowing such a kind and loving man to have a part in encouraging me. Mrs. Thornton told Ceretta after our youngest daughter was born that we would have missed alot by not having a fourth child, it meant so much to Ceretta at the time and that little girl is now a wife and activley involved in teaching and coaching young women.
It is so good to know that one day we will be united again with Jesus, family members and friends in Heaven to spend eternity. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. In sincere sympathy,
Pastor David Beerbower & Family
Our deepest symphathy,The Rev. helped me through some tough times.
Dear family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Rev. Thornton from revivals and although I and my family attended the Wharton Methodist Church, I do remember you and your services. Leon, I was a grade below you at Riverdale and I remember you more than your siblings for that reason. You all have my deepest sympathy’s and we know he is in God’s house and is at a better place.
Bettie (Motter) Pfeiffer
I am sorry for your loss. Clarence so impressed me with his walk with God. I remember his telling some of us when he was in Florida,” he could be around individuals who used a colorful language and know in his own heart they don’t know Jesus.” That soo challenged me and I still don’t have the grace I am sure Clarence exhibited when confronted with the language. He was sooo Christ like.
Clarence was an influence to everyone he met. Praying for your family in this time of loss.
Dear Thornton Family,
Your husband and dad blessed my life. His messages and love at the missouri camp was instrumental in my decision to become a pastor. I have never forgotten he was the only pastor who ever wrote me when I was a student at Findlay College. He cared in places, most people didn’t have places. When the girls came home with me during the college days, it was always a thrill for me to see the two of you in our drive. He preached once about the sweet smell of Aaron’s robe and people could smell him before they saw him. My brother was like that. He had a sweetness that I’ve never seen duplicated. He is now in the presence of the one who cared the most for him. Your friend, George Reser
Dear Thornton Family,
Pastor Thornton was a man who spoke deeply into my life. When I was a seminary student he took me under his wing and showed me what a pastor’s heart should be. I am very thankful for the times we shared together. May God be with you all.
I sat my mother down to write this note to you, but when we tried to submit it we ran into problems. So she will send a regular card with her thoughts. But know that we are thinking of you and have many fond thoughts of Clarence. Saying prayers for you, from Oak Grove, Lea Ann Dunlap and Jane Dunlap Studebaker
To the Thornton Family,
Such fond memories will always remain in my mind and heart of Pastor Thornton. I am sure he is rejoicing with Pastor friends that have gone Home before him. May you be blessed and comforted by the wonderful memories you cherish. Men like Clarence are few. He was a jewel I was thankful to know.
Lynn & Mickey English
Maxine.
Did not hear of Clarence’ illness and journey to his Heavenly home unil it was too late to get over for the viewing or the Funeral.
he was the reason we came back to Oak Grove. I am sure that with your families support and many prayers, GOD will suport you through a grieving period. One thing I am sure of I don’t need to pray for Clarence I have never been able to resit using some one elses good material. DR Robert Shuler always said, ” GOD loves you and so do I”. So I do.
Auntie, Thinking about you now and always. You and Gunk have touched many hearts! Praise the Lord.
Uncle Clarence exhuded the qualities which make America a great Country; Dedication, Sacrifice, Faith and Committment. He will be sorely missed, not only by his family, colleagues, and friends, but also by individuals that he truly impacted for the better and never had the honor to personally meet him.
James Thornton II