Kenneth John Thornton
August 31, 1931 - July 4, 2009
Obituary
Kenneth Kenny J. Thornton passed away peacefully on July 4, 2009 at Pinehurst Senior Care in Seattle. He was 77 years old. Kenny was born on August 31, 1931 to Elizabeth Betty Amelia Evans Thornton and Fornando Gonsailous Thornton in Seattle, Washington. On August 20, 1960, he married Joyce J. Colp in San Antonio, TX. They would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary next year. Kenny served his country in the U.S. Army for over 20 years from 1948 until retiring in 1969 as a Sergeant First Class. He was a licensed LPN. He served in the Korean War Conflict in South Korea on the Yalu River from 1950 – 1951, where he received 2 Purple Hearts for injury during action, as well as later serving in the Vietnam War. In both instances he served as a medic, taking care of the injured personnel. Upon retiring, he and Joyce came to Washington, making their home in Lake City Way. Kenny went to work for the U.S. Post Office and received a medical disability retirement in 1978 because of MS. In 1982 he and Joyce started a ceramic business, which Kenny was very active with and enjoyed until his MS slowed him down. Kenny was a lifetime member of the 5th Regimental Combat Team; Life member of the American Legion, Burien Post 134; Past Exalted Ruler of the Lake City Elks Lodge No. 1800 from 1984-1985; He was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and a member of NCOA. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Joyce of Lake City Way; brothers Donald Jacquelyne of Kingston, Washington; George Rachael of Burien, Washington; and his sister Virginia Wengel Bud, deceased of Port Orchard, Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 192 Nickerson St, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98109. A viewing is scheduled for Friday, July 17th from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Bonney Watson, 1732 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122. There will be a full military service at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA on Friday, July 17th at 11:15 a.m.
God bless Uncle Kenny, he will be missed.