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Obituary for THORNTON


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday May 18, 2008

Arthur Thornton, 94, passed away Friday, April 18, 2008 at his residence in Green Valley, Arizona. He was born May 11, 1913 in Denver, Colorado. He moved to Albuquerque in 1918 where he attended school, including Albuquerque High School and the University of New Mexico. At UNM he lettered in track, majored in geology and joined Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated UNM in 1937 with a B.S. Degree. In 1932 Arthur met Ruth Billings and they were married November 25, 1937. They were married 69 years. Ruth passed away January 2007. He was very active in the Masonic Lodge and Ballut Abyad Shrine. In 1983, Arthur and Ruth moved to Alto, New Mexico, and in 1991 to Green Valley, Arizona. Arthur was a decorated veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict where he served his country with honor. He is the recipient of two Bronze Stars among other honors. He is survived by daughter Carol Bicvarick, son Duke Thornton of Albuquerque; daughter Gail Strahlem of Chandler, AZ; daughter Melissa Bessent of Marana, AZ; 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Arthur had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a cherished friend to all who knew him.


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