Obituary of Darrol THORNTON

Darrol Duncan Thornton, 81, died April 28, 2005 at home surrounded by his family. He was born December 22, 1923 to Matt and Vannie Thornton in Marana, Arizona.He served in the 34th Infantry Division of the US Army during WW II, where he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart. Afterwards, he was assigned to the Raritan Arsenal in New Jersey and there he met his bride and life-long companion, Florence Petersen. They were married in Phoenix on December 17, 1945.Darrol and Florence lived in Phoenix where their 3 children were born, and he commuted many hours and miles with his job as an operating engineer all over the state of Arizona. His job brought him to Lake Havasu in August 1963. As one of the few original pioneers of Lake Havasu City, he was delighted to ride in the London Bridge Parade in October of 2003.He was a charter member of the Havasu Elks Lodge, and served as ER in 1975. He was also a member of the VFW, the DAV, the American Legion, and the Eagles.He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Florence, his son Darrol Dean and his wife Pat of Seattle Washington, his daughter Jill and her husband Bill of Portland, Oregon and his son Duane and his wife Jeanine of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, as well as 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.Services will be held at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home, Wednesday May 4, 2005 at 2:00 PM, with a reception following at the Elks Lodge.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks Children Fund or Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86405.Condolences for the Thornton family may be sent at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.Arrangements were entrusted to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.