Viewing
Date: Friday, April 19, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Oakey’s Funeral Service – South Chapel (4257 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke, Va.)
Memorial Service
Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2019
Time: 1:00 PM
Where: Raleigh Court United Methodist Church (1706 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke VA 24015)
A. Gordon Thornton Jr
November 18, 1926 – April 5, 2019
November 18, 1926 April 5, 2019 A. Gordon Thornton Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2019, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Va. surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew Gordon Thornton Sr. and Mary Louise Engleby Thornton; his wife, Judith Dailey Thornton; and two brothers, William J. and Donald R. Thornton. Gordon is survived by his two sons, Andy and Joe; two daughters-in-law, Judy and Linda; five grandchildren, Lee Ann Siegmann (Brian), Andrea Hart (Cory), Matthew, Jason and Rachel; nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law; and his lifelong best friend, J. Fuller Robinson Jr., DDS. Gordon was born on November 18, 1926, in Roanoke, Va., He worked part time at Engleby Electric while attending Jefferson High School and graduated in 1944. After high school Gordon enlisted as a Technician’s Mate in the United States Navy and served for two years. When the war ended, he returned home, attending college at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and marrying Judith Elizabeth Dailey in 1948. During his years at VPI, he was one of the founders of WUVT Radio, and he graduated in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After college graduation, Gordon had a long career at Appalachian Power serving as a Systems Communications Engineer from 1950 to 1989. He was in active service in the community, serving as Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 2, where in his youth he had earned the rank of Life Scout. He earned Emeritus Life Status in the Roanoke Cosmopolitan Club, where he had twice served as President, and established and organized Club track meets. Gordon’s favorite hobbies included photography, anything electrical, radio engineering and “tinkering.” The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2019, at Oakey’s Funeral Service – South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke, Va. The Memorial Service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Raleigh Court United Methodist Church, the church where Gordon and his wife, Judy, were lifelong members, located at 1706 Grandin Road, Roanoke, Va. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the church. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Gordon Thornton may be made to Raleigh Court United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oakeys.com.
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