Louis Ward Thornton
Louis Ward Thornton, 63, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, October 8, 2009, at a local medical center.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2009, at Hillcrest Church of Church with Terry Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. The family will receive friends at a visitation 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Louis was born March 23, 1946 to Emogene (Bergen) and Ward Thornton in San Angelo, Texas. His father worked for Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. During his growing up years, Louis and his family lived in Plata, Ropesville, McCamey, and Rankin. He enjoyed several activities, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Order of the Arrow, 4-H --- raised and showed lambs, at age 10 was the youngest exhibiter to ever show the grand champion lamb in both the youth and open class categories in Denver, Colorado, church youth group --- served as youth group president through high school, on the teen council board for Upton County Teen Recreation Center, and president of the teen council last three years of high school. His elementary education was in Rankin and his junior high and high school education was in McCamey, graduating from McCamey High School in 1964. Louis continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Music Education from Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas in 1968.
Before he began his teaching career, Louis was an equipment operator for the Texas Department of Transportation; a ranch hand; delivery person for the Railway Express Agency; a service station employee for Mobil Oil gas station; an electrician and TV repairman; and a dispatcher for Brewster County Civil Defense.
Louis married Lynda Kay Taylor on June 12, 1971 in Bronte, Texas. To this union were born two children, Melody Lyn, born June 11, 1973 in Abilene, graduating from Wylie High School May 1991 and Abilene Christian University December 1995, currently a paralegal for Shank Law Firm in Houston, Texas and Michael Louis, born March 31, 1975 in Abilene, graduating from Wylie High School May 1993 and Abilene Christian University December 2006, married Lori Davidson December 14, 1996, and currently general manager of Famous Dave's Restaurant in Abilene.
Louis began his teaching career with Bronte ISD, 1968 to 1978, as Band Director, Jacksboro ISD, 1978 to 1987, as Head Band Director, Wylie ISD, 1987 to 1998, as Head Band Director; and Abilene Christian Schools, 1998 to 2000, as Band Director and Transportation Director, 2001 to 2008. He was a member of several professional organizations, Texas Music Educators Association for 41 years, TMEA/UIL Region 2 Music Division President for 6 years, TMEA/UIL Region 2 Band Chairman for 12 years, TMEA State Board Member for 12 years, Association of Texas Small Schools Bands (ATSSB) for 19 years, founding member --- first meetings were held in the Wylie Band Hall with 16 band directors as founders, the first few years had one All-State Concert Band, now over 500 band director members with two All-State Concert Bands, an All-State Jazz Band, and an Outstanding Performance competition for all small school bands, ATSSB State Board as a lifetime member, ATSSB Region 2 Coordinator for 10 years, Texas Band Masters Association for 35 years, Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools for 4 years, State Band Chairman for 1 year, Phi Beta Mu as National Christian Band Director's Fraternity Member of Alpha Chapter for 15 years, and Texas Music Adjudicator's Association for 21 years as a certified judge for marching band and concert/sight-reading bands.
His civil duties included Bronte City Council, Bronte Fire Chief and truck operator, and Bronte Bicentennial Chairman and Jacksboro Sesquicentennial Committee and Vice-President of Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce.
Louis earned many personal awards, Bronte KRUN Radio Outstanding Citizen in 1977, Jacksboro Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1986, Abilene Outstanding Teacher of the Year and Abilene Christian Schools in 2001, Abilene Christian School John and June Estes Award in 2009 for outstanding support and dedication to ACS, Wylie High School Hall of Honor in 2009, and the City of Abilene Proclamation proclaimed September 25, 2009 as Louis Thornton Wylie High School Hall of Honor 2009 Inductee Day.
His bands won several contests, Bronte - first sweepstakes award in school history in 1972, Jacksboro - first time to qualify for state marching contest in 1985, and Wylie - sweepstakes 10 of the 11 years at Wylie State Marching Contest, 1994.
Louis was very active as a deacon and in the bus ministry at Bronte Church of Christ; as a deacon, in the bus ministry, as a youth director, and as a teacher of classes at Jacksboro Church of Christ; as a deacon, in the sound ministry, and as a teacher of youth at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene; and worked with the Loaves and Fishes Ministry at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ward Thornton and his sister, Evelyn Rouner.
Survivors include his wife, Lynda Kay Thornton of Abilene; his children, Melody Lyn Thornton of Houston and Michael Louis Thornton and wife, Lori, of Abilene; his mother, Emogene Thornton (97 years old) of Abilene; a multitude of extended family members; and numerous friends.
Memorials may be sent to First Financial Bank for the Louis Thornton Scholarship Fund, 400 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.
You may view and sign the guestbook at www.mem.com.
