Dale Bruce Thornton

A celebration of life service for Dale Bruce Thornton, 81, of Tyler will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Colonial Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Robert Carter officiating. Mr. Thornton passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on April 29, 2013 while taking a nap in the early afternoon. His wife, Karen was at his side as he had been by hers during 51 years of marriage. Dale was born in Birmingham, Michigan on September 7, 1932 to Forrest and Henrietta Thornton. He lived most of his childhood in Pontiac, Michigan. Dale was born with rickets so his parents, people of great faith, took him to a healer who prayed over him. They were told to take him home and feed him. The doctors saw no evidence of the rickets and Dale enjoyed a normal childhood. After graduation from high school he was proud to become a United States Marine, serving on the Battleship Missouri, and was among the first detachment of Marines to go ashore during the Korean War. He spent most of his life in law enforcement and other entrepreneurial ventures, but his real love was being a Marshal in California. He loved to tell stories of his adventures. Dale married the love of his life, Karen Pech, on January 27, 1962. They lived in Southern California for 45 years and he loved the ocean, mountains, church activities, his friends and his family. In the year of 1960 Dale survived back surgery. Then in 2000 he survived an abdominal aneurism followed by triple bypass heart surgery. This experience revived Dale’s faith in God and he enjoyed 13 more years of relative good health until the last two years when walking became difficult and his body began to shrink and become crooked. A complete knee surgery straightened his leg and he had great hope of walking again. In spite of his challenges, Dale was a pleasant and positive person. He served as a greeter at church with his wife, Karen for the past fifteen years, which gave him great joy. He treated everyone with great dignity and loved people. Dale loved Southern Gospel quartet music and undoubtedly he is singing with the greats in heaven now! He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed his loved ones and was especially devoted to his wife, Karen, wanting her to have the best he could provide. He landscaped, painted and made each home lovely. After retirement he loved to work in his wood shop making custom decorator bird houses. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him well. Dale is survived by his wife, Karen and five children; Carolyn Marshall, Mike Thornton, Steve Thornton, Greg Thornton and Robert Thornton; nine grandchildren, Carrie Munoz, J. Matt Thornton, Stephanie Thornton, Chelsea Thornton, Joseph Thornton, Alexis Thornton, Olivia Thornton, Katherine Thornton and Danny Thornton; three great-grandchildren, Gage Munoz, Cala Munoz and Christian Munoz; brother, Richard Thronton and his mother-in-law, Leoma Pech, 94, who lives with him and Karen. The family would like to thank all those friends who loved him, drank coffee, ate donuts and laughed with him, and all those who are lovingly supporting Karen during this time. Dale will be cremated and his ashes buried at sea of the California coast, where he loved to spend his time. Dale’s favorite scripture is “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles.” Isaiah 40:31. Donations may be made to the Texas Wounded Warriors, 4301 Fillbrook Lane, Tyler, Texas 75707

Dale Bruce Thornton

September 7, 1932 - April 29, 2013