HENRY WOOD "HANK" THORNLEY

Henry Wood “Hank” Thornley, of Las Vegas, a founding father of Nevada journalism, passed away at home August 22, 2018, at the age of 100. Born November 3, 1917 on a farm in Clearfield, UT, Hank moved with his family to Los Angeles where he attended UCLA and began to pursue a career as a boxer. He gave up that dream after meeting and marrying the love of his life, Marian, with whom he would spend the next 74 years. They moved to Sacramento, CA, where Hank began a career in broadcasting, first as a radio newsman and then as a television anchorman on Channel 10 from 1955 to 1960. They came to Las Vegas in 1962, where Hank became the state’s first news director and television anchorman, creating the news department at KLAS Channel 8. He then went on to a career in politics and was elected City Commissioner in 1969. He was proud to be recognized as “the voice of Boulder Dam” as part of the tour through this iconic landmark. After an unsuccessful run for governor of Nevada, which he lost to Gov. Mike O’Callahan, he returned to finish his term as City Commissioner. He then returned to broadcasting as news director and anchorman at Channel 13, and as part owner of several local radio stations. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marian B. Wirth; his son, Lawrence H. Thornley; and his son, Douglas A. Thornley. He is survived by his daughters, Gail L. Thornley and Susan H. Cushing; son, Dennis F. Thornley; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 8, with Celebration of Hank’s life following at 11 a.m., both at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Las Vegas, NV 89101. The family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful “angels” of Harmony Hospice.