JAMES NELSON THORNTON
June 26, 1949-Nov. 13, 2016
James "Bud" Nelson Thornton, 838 Airport Road, Pikeville, passed away at home Sunday morning.
A visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church in the fellowship hall.
A graveside service will be held Friday at 12 at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 164 Long's Plant Farm Road, Goldsboro, with full military honors, with the Rev. Bob Clark to officiate.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Susan Thornton; sons, John I. Thornton of Pikeville and Jason D. Thornton of Greenville; and stepchildren, Melody James (Phil) of Goldsboro, William Hicks (Sylvia) of Pikeville, Larry Hicks (Melissa) of Snow Hill, Garry Hicks (Vickie), Frances Mandeville (Mark) and Wendy Whitfield all of Pikeville.
Also surviving are lots of special friends, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and animal friend, Scooby.
Mr. Thornton was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Beasley Thornton and Sim Cleo Thornton; brother, Thomas Michael "Joe" Thornton of Goldsboro; and sister, Bonnie Perry of Hampstead, N.C.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force as an airplane inspector and propeller technician, and had also retired from Georgia Pacific.
"Bud" never met a stranger, and was a friend to everyone he met.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wreaths Across America at www.goldsborowreaths.com.
Arrangements are with Evergreen Funeral Home.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 17, 2016 9:57 AM