Rae Thornton (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas— Rae Thornton, 87, died Sunday, March 23, 2014 in Tulia. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Jason Stone, pastor officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Rae was born on June 6, 1926 in Tulia to E. W. and Elizabeth Thornton. He graduated from Lockney High School in 1943. He joined the US Army and served in the South Pacific under the 865th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. He married Vera Waller on June 16, 1946 in Floydada. They moved to Tulia in 1951 where Rae was a farmer until 1969. He then worked for Swisher Electric Co-op for 23 years as a staking engineer for new lines. He retired in 1992. He was a very active member of First Baptist Church where he was a deacon and served in various ministries. He was on the board of directors for the Swisher County Museum and the Swisher County Memorial Building. He is preceded in death by his parents: E.W. and Elizabeth Thornton, one son: Michael Rae Thornton, one brother: Olin Thornton and one sister: Opal Smith. He is survived by his wife: Vera Thornton of Tulia, one daughter and son-in-law: Linda and Larry Miller of Richmond, Texas, one son and daughter-in-law: Tim and Robyn Thornton of Lubbock, one brother: Kenneth Thornton of Albuquerque, NM, one sister: Oleta Smith of Dumas, three grandchildren: Amy Bonds of Canyon, Matthew Thornton and wife Maegan of St. Louis, MO, and Lucas Thornton and wife Tara of Amarillo and two great grandchildren: Cameron Bonds and Braden Bonds of Canyon. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or a favorite charity.