JIMMIE RAY THORNTON
1934-2017
Jimmie Ray Thornton passed away October 11, 2017 in Webster, Texas. He was born September 18, 1934 in Houston, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents Winfred Reynold and Edna Marie Thornton.
Jimmie was raised in La Porte, Texas and graduated from La Porte High School as Salutatorian. He received a 2-year basketball scholarship to Wharton County Junior College. He graduated from the University of Texas Austin with a degree in business and worked as a Certified Public Accountant. He served in the United States Army in Germany. Later he worked for Black Hardware as an accountant and office manager. He served as a board member and treasurer of both the La Porte Community Church and the First United Methodist Church in Trinity, was on the Board of Directors at First National Bank of Trinity, and was on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Trinity. He was 2-time past President of the Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the American Legion and Farm Bureau. In 1983 he was elected Trinity County Judge and served three terms in that capacity. He and his family developed Glen Haven Subdivision and Water Works.
Jimmie had a great compassion for the needs of local children. He established Trinity County Child Welfare Board and obtained a grant for funding of Trinity County Parent Education Program (PEP). When grants ended, he funded PEP with his own funds. He organized Family PRIDE Council focusing on child abuse and neglect prevention. He initiated mentor program in Trinity Independent School District. He was one of the principal founders of Boys and Girls Club of Trinity and served as the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair. He, along with family and friends, established a stock endowment fund for the Boys and Girls Club as well as generously donating his time to area youth. In 2016, he was elected Director Emeritus of the Boys and Girls Club.
Jimmie is survived by brother Eugene Thornton and wife Pat, sister Betty Wright and husband Wayne, nieces and nephews Susan Mikesell, Patrick Thornton, Wendy Wilson and husband Kevin, Kim Stephens and husband Damon, great nieces and nephews Sammy Mikesell, Christopher Mikesell, Malorie Wilson, Braden Wilson, Sterling Stephens, and special cousin Charles Christensen, and numerous cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Trinity, P.O. Box 665, Trinity, TX 75862, or the First United Methodist Church, 131 No. Elm Street, Trinity, TX 75862, or the La Porte Community Church, 202 South First, La Porte, TX 77571.
Funeral Service will be held on Oct. 16th at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church of Trinity, Family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Graveside service will be at 3PM at Grandview Memorial Park, of Pasadena. Waller-Thornton Funeral Home (936) 594-3571