JT Thornton Jr., 80, passed away peacefully Friday, June 28, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
He was born October 15, 1943 in Gainesville, Texas to JT Thornton Sr. and Francis Pauline Hunter. His formative years were spent in Patterson, where he graduated from Patterson High School in 1961.
Immediately following high school, he entered the United States Army where he served as a private first class in a missile defense unit stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1964. His passion for history and language lead him to Valdosta State University where he graduated in 1969 with a bachelor of arts in German.
He continued his travels to New Orleans, Louisiana where he attended Tulane University. He met his beloved wife of 53 years, Heidemarie Headley, in a study group at Tulane. They were married April 7, 1971. JT obtained his master’s degree in German from Tulane in 1971.
After traveling extensively for a few years in the pursuit of education and adventure, JT and Heidi settled in Houston, TX in 1978. He attended Rice University where he obtained his PhD in Philosophy in 1987. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge, with an ardor for financial analysis and stock trading. He was a devoted husband, father and brother and enjoyed football, gardening, fishing and delicious food and drink.
He was a distinguished member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church since 1997 where he held numerous leadership positions, including as the Chairman of the Board of Education for the Early Childhood Center.
He was preceded in death by his parents, JT and Pauline Thornton.
He leaves behind his wife, Heidi; daughter, Ashley and husband, Russell; brother, Richard and wife, Linda; sister, Deborah and numerous esteemed aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, from the St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1353 Witte Rd., Houston, with a reception to follow.
A private interment will be held for immediate family members at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery.
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