1944
Alfred
2017
Alfred Lee Thornburg
September 12, 1944 — June 1, 2017
Alfred Lee Thornburg passed from this life on June 1, 2017 at his home in Midwest City, Oklahoma; surrounded by loving friends and family. He was born on September 12, 1944 in New Castle, Indiana. He was the third of ten children born to Ervin Alfred Thornburg and Martha Lucille (Hallman) Thornburg. He grew up in Henry County, Indiana. He always carried a love and pride for his hometown of Mooreland.
He played basketball in high school and was the team manager. He graduated from Mooreland High in 1962. In 1965 he joined the United States Air Force, where he rose to SMSGT as ground communications support and flight simulator technician and repairman. His service to his country took him to many duty stations including Greece, Germany, and Holland. He retired in 1988 at Tinker AFB in Midwest City, OK.
In June of 1968, he married Nancy Marie Honn of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They became the parents of Alan Knowlton, born in Germany, Annika Marie, born in New York, and Andrew Lee, born in Holland.
His lifelong hobbies included vegetable gardening, college basketball, military history, and restoring a ’62 Ford Falcon to its glory days. He loved to travel to historic sites and enjoyed a big family vacation every summer. Al stayed active in the lives of his children, and always supported their endeavors and careers. He would befriend their friends. He never knew a stranger!
Al’s biggest love with his family was Jesus Christ and the Bible. He was active in every church congregation he attended. He was a teacher and elder at Nicoma Park Church of Christ. He was always open and patient in sharing the love of Jesus with everyone. He practiced hospitality and kindness to all.
His most recent love that he discovered was being “Opa” to five grandchildren: AJ, Dax, Emalyn, Skye, and Brynna. He enjoyed telling them his “Opa stories” and having new people in his life to talk to.
Al is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Thornburg; son Alan Thornburg of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter Annika and husband Cale of Killeen, TX; son Andrew Thornburg and wife Beth of Carthage, MO; four bothers Mark (Jane) Thornburg of Appleton, WI; Karl (Connie) Thornburg of Lubbock, TX; Kevin (Susan) Thornburg of Mooreland, IN; Jon (Diana) Thornburg of Lynn, IN; five sisters Julie (R.D.) Laird of Lafayette, IN; Sara (Larry) Denney of Mooreland, IN; Sue Zaragosa of Kokomo, IN; Jennifer (David) Odom of Lafayette, IN; Margaret Thornburg of Mooreland, IN; numerous nieces, nephews, and his five grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many friends as well.
Memorial services will be conducted 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 4, 2017 at South Christian Church in Mooreland, IN followed by graveside military honors at Mooreland Cemetery in Mooreland, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service. You may express condolences or share a memory of Alfred at www.hinsey-brown.com .
He played basketball in high school and was the team manager. He graduated from Mooreland High in 1962. In 1965 he joined the United States Air Force, where he rose to SMSGT as ground communications support and flight simulator technician and repairman. His service to his country took him to many duty stations including Greece, Germany, and Holland. He retired in 1988 at Tinker AFB in Midwest City, OK.
In June of 1968, he married Nancy Marie Honn of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They became the parents of Alan Knowlton, born in Germany, Annika Marie, born in New York, and Andrew Lee, born in Holland.
His lifelong hobbies included vegetable gardening, college basketball, military history, and restoring a ’62 Ford Falcon to its glory days. He loved to travel to historic sites and enjoyed a big family vacation every summer. Al stayed active in the lives of his children, and always supported their endeavors and careers. He would befriend their friends. He never knew a stranger!
Al’s biggest love with his family was Jesus Christ and the Bible. He was active in every church congregation he attended. He was a teacher and elder at Nicoma Park Church of Christ. He was always open and patient in sharing the love of Jesus with everyone. He practiced hospitality and kindness to all.
His most recent love that he discovered was being “Opa” to five grandchildren: AJ, Dax, Emalyn, Skye, and Brynna. He enjoyed telling them his “Opa stories” and having new people in his life to talk to.
Al is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Thornburg; son Alan Thornburg of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter Annika and husband Cale of Killeen, TX; son Andrew Thornburg and wife Beth of Carthage, MO; four bothers Mark (Jane) Thornburg of Appleton, WI; Karl (Connie) Thornburg of Lubbock, TX; Kevin (Susan) Thornburg of Mooreland, IN; Jon (Diana) Thornburg of Lynn, IN; five sisters Julie (R.D.) Laird of Lafayette, IN; Sara (Larry) Denney of Mooreland, IN; Sue Zaragosa of Kokomo, IN; Jennifer (David) Odom of Lafayette, IN; Margaret Thornburg of Mooreland, IN; numerous nieces, nephews, and his five grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many friends as well.
Memorial services will be conducted 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 4, 2017 at South Christian Church in Mooreland, IN followed by graveside military honors at Mooreland Cemetery in Mooreland, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service. You may express condolences or share a memory of Alfred at www.hinsey-brown.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alfred Lee Thornburg, please visit our flower store.
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