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Martin & Carol pictured with diplomas after receiving bachelor degrees at Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas

Sul Ross Graduation Alpine, Texas 1968

Family & Friends

These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip away.

Martin T

©2015 Theophilus

Alpine, Texas

Part 1 1878 to 1945

Part 2 1946 to 1956

Part 3 1957 to 1963

Part 4  1963 to 1966

Part 5 1967 to 1970

Part 6  1970 to 1977

Part 7 1978 to 1982

Part 8 1982 to 1984

1984 to present

Related links  

Alpine Marfa

Chris history

Canine Family  

Dancer & KD   Home

 

 

Carol & Martin's home in Odessa 1970 built by Wylie Brown Builders

 

Alpine, Texas 1967 to Odessa, Texas 1970

Mom & Pop Crerar - Pop, born Sept 20, 1881 passed away March 1, 1967

Immigrated to Cleveland, Oh from Glasgow, Scotland in 1907
Naturalized in US on 1/14/16.

George Crerar and George Karvonen

April 1967 double rainbow

Margaret & George Crerar

Alpine cemetery = George "Pop" Crerar • George Crerar - Sept 20, 1881 to March 1, 1967

 

Martin's aunts in Alpine for George Crerar's funeral and parents

 

Margaret Crerar and her sister Isabel after Pop Crerar's funeral, March 1967

 

Carol's Mom La Fawn Avant graduating from nursing school in 1967

 

Carol's Mom and brother Ben after her nursing school graduation

 

Carol's room 1967

Ollie, Karl, George & Pepper

Grandma Margaret Crerar with Karl & George

Peggy Anne, Karl & Grandma Margaret Crerar

Tom, Peggy, Martin & Carol - April 1967

Carol's family 1967

 
 

Avalanche front page August 31, 1967

Carol  (Phyllis) & Martin (Buddy) married First Baptist Church, Alpine, Texas August 29, 1967 • video clips

Carol  (Phyllis) & Martin (Buddy) married August 29, 1967

Carol's maids of honor at wedding

Carol's Maid of Honor was Donna Lynn Mueller (Johnson), and maids Terri Bronze and Debbie Boysen

Carl Williams, the Brwster County Sheriff was Martin's Best Man.

Carl Williams was Martin's Best Man.  After serving a Sheriff of Brewster County, Carl moved to Midland, TX and helped create the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Education and Standards

Wedding party at Carol & Martin's wedding

In addition to Carl, Tony Bronze, Corky Thornton and Ben Avant served at the wedding party

 

George Cooley, Debbie Boysen and Debbie's Dad Vernon Boysen at Carol and Martin's wedding reception

George Cooley, Debbie Boysen and Debbie's Dad Vernon Boysen at Carol and Martin's wedding reception.  Vernon taught Martin photography and sold him his first professional Voigtlander camera.

Dallas 1967

 

Dallas 1967

These photos and videos added after additional movies were digitized

1967 Flying over the Big Bend • Brewster County Communications/CD Center • Carol and Martin's wedding and Honeymoon • view video Part 2 Six Flags

                                                                                                                                        

             

       

A side note. On the night of their wedding, Carol and Martin planned to watch the last episode of the Fugitive TV series at their hotel room in Big Springs. However the hotel did not carry the series and they had to call Carl to get the final details. Here's what was said about that airing.

ABC made the unusual decision for the time to air the finale during the end of summer, when many Americans were vacationing. The first part, airing on August 22, 1967, attracted a good rating. But nothing compared the second part on August 29, which broke all records: a 72% share of homes and a projected audience of 78 million people. Yes, the freedom of David Janssen proved bigger than the earth-shattering appearance of the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show three years before.


1967 Alpine video

These clips include shots of USAF trainers landing at Laughlin Air Force Base, located in Del Rio, Texas. Bennie Wright was in training. Also the helicopter demo arranged  by Carl Williams for Brewster County to consider fro the Sheriff's Office. video Jack O'Donnell gave us a German Shepherd puppy we named Baron. We also had Baron's dad for a short time.

            

In 1967 Jack O'Donnell gave us a German Shepherd puppy we named Baron. We also had Baron's dad for a short time. After Carol and I were married, we leased an apartment from the Perryman's. It was located behind the Perryman's home on East Lockhart St and accessed from the alley off North Cockrell St. As we'd signed the apartment lease and agreed to have no pets, we began sneaking Baron in and out the alley window. One morning, just as Carol was going out the front door to receive Baron through the back window, Mrs. Perryman walked by and said “hi!” Carol said “hi!” back and Baron went “Woof!” Luckily, the Perryman’s never said anything about it. We later bought Carl Williams’ home and Baron had a yard and new partner named Tonya (Dr. Zhivago).

 

                              

More video around our Perryman apartment; at the Karvonen, Theophilus and Avant homes; El Paso (including the regular trip to the El Paso airport) and Christmas scenes with Baron, Ben and Lassie.

                                                   

Martin's parents often attended the Sul Ross football games.  This was homecoming 1967.

Martin's parents and Peggy in Sul Ross stands during game

El Paso General Hospital 1967

El Paso General Hospital 1967

Carol '66 Mustang El Paso 1967

Carol & Martin El Paso 1967

Tram El Paso 1967

Carol on tram El Paso 1967

Tram El Paso 1967

Christmas El Paso 1967 • video

Christmas El Paso 1967

Carol third from left

Carol, Martin and Baron (from Jack O'Donnell)

Sul Ross Band and Lady Bird Johnson

Tom, Peggy, Mom Crerar, Martin, Carol, Dad, with Karl and George Karvonen in front  1968

Sul Ross band at Kokernot Lodge

      

 

 

Carol & Martin between Ft Davis & Balmorhea as we were driving Martin's Dad's Odessa American paper delivery

 

1969 Christmas dinner hosted by Carol & Martin at their new home bought from Carl Williams after he and Alice moved to Midland. . At the table: Dr. Karvonen, his wife Hilia, Ollie Theophilus, Martin, Carol, Margaret Crerar, Tom Karvonen, Peggy Anne and Dan Karvonen

Tony and Terry Bronze with new baby at Carol and Martin's first home in Alpine

Tony & Terry Bronze with new baby at Carol and Martin's first home in Alpine, Texas 1967

Martin's Dad distributed books and magazines in Alpine and the surrounding counties.  Unsold books periodically would be stripped of their covers and destroyed.  Tony often came by to see what he might salvage.

Carol & Martin with Corky (Louis Thornton) .  Many hours were spent studying and playing cards.  Corky also worked as a dispatcher at the Alpine Police Department.  Corky and Martin also shared their practice teaching (Band Directing) at Alpine High School. 

   

Corky on his 22nd birthday

Corky's 1968 birthday.  Corky and Martin were lucky to complete their Student Teaching at Alpine High School.  They split the schedule and thus were able to be there during both the Marching and concert seasons.  View video

Corky repairing our TV

view video that also includes Sul Ross band

Carol & Baron in bed

Sul Ross station wagon

Carol, Martin, Pepper & Karl Easter, 1968

Corky's Dad was a track Foreman for the Santa Fe Railroad in West Texas.  He had warned the Santa Fe that there were rock slide problems that needed to be addressed between Alpine and Presidio.  However before the work could be completed, a freight train ran into a slide derailing 2 engines and numerous cars.   view video

 

Corky's Dad allowed Corky, his Mom, Carol and Martin to go down to the sight, including getting to ride a work trolly.  Unfortunately there was not enough room for Corky on the trolley and you'll see him staggering in in the movie.  Great fun!

1967 Santa Fe Train Wreck • Alpine Band • Christmas1967 • view video

In 1967 Corky Thornton, Carol and Martin's Sul Ross classmate and Police Dispatch co-worker, asked if we wanted to go to a Santa Fe train wreck south of the old Marfa Army Airbase. Corky's Dad was the track manager for Santa Fe and in spite of warning the company about potential rock slides, Santa Fe had not had a chance to fix the area. Corky arranged for his Mom, Carol and Martin to accompany the work crew to the wreck site. Unfortunately there was limited room on the work cart, so Corky ended up walking the couple of miles. It was very interesting to watch Santa Fe to move the large heavy engines and place them back on the track. Also we noticed they clipped into the telephone wires, so they had communication. Simpler time. Unfortunately Martin ran out of film and had to shoot brief clips at the end.

                                                    

Corky and Martin were both Sul Ross Music Education majors. Normally, when graduating Seniors completed their Practice Teaching, they spent a full semester, either Fall or Spring. Due to the nature of the high school music programs, the Fall was marching band and the Spring was concert band focused. Corky and Martin convinced AHS and SR to allow the to share the Practice Teaching assignments for the full school year. This enabled us to learn the entire spectrum of the music program. Sharing the 1967-1968 wit Corky was truly fun. Martin's first band directing contract offer was with Fort Davis and he was warned by the Parks and Wildlife Officer Sanford DeVoll, a friend and Fort Davis School Board member that the band program was being eliminated. Martin verified it was true, withdrew his application and went to work for Sul Ross' security, while also taking some graduate courses. He subsequently has hired by the Texas Department of Human Services where he worked in Child Protective Services and Training for 22 years. One other comment. While working for the State, Martin visited Corky in Bronte, TX where Corky began his band directing career. After sitting in on some elementary classes and 5th grade lunchroom monitoring, Martin went away thankful that he had not persuaded a band directing job. Interestingly, Martin's education was to be a band director and he went into social work. His Brother-in-law at the time, Tom Karvonen, graduated with a degree in social work and spent his career as a band director. So, I guess, we offset the universe.

                                          

1967 Christmas at the Avants and Theophilus homes and with the Karvonens • note the large box that Martin's Dad is moving. He often wrapped these big boxes, with many descending sized boxes for Martin's Mom.

                                                                                      

Sul Ross Campus from the air in 1968

1968 Alpine parade

Brewster County Sheriff Carl Williams - view video

George's DPS car by house

George's DPS car

 

George and barbara in Uvalde

George and Barbara - view Video

Carol outside the Theophilus home in 1968

Carol with Central School behind her

Ollie & Peg

 

Carol working at the City of Alpine - Brewster County dispatch office  Martin working at the City of Alpine - Brewster County dispatch office

Martin, Carol and their friend Corky Thornton (below) went to work for the joint City of Alpine and Brewster County police dispatch services during 1967 and 1968.

Alpine Police dispatch (North 5th) 1967

Carol Avant, Martin Theophilus & Louis "Corky" Thornton in 1967

Carol, Martin & Corky - 1967 Sul Ross Annual

Martin and Corky were able to share their student teaching at Alpine High School. The arrangement was unusual, however it allowed us to participate in both the marching and concert seasons.

    

 

Louis "Corky" Thornton 1968 Sul Ross

When Martin's Mom was teaching at Sul Ross, Carol was a Graduate Assistant teaching English and Martin was working for the Sul Ross Police Dept.  Martin stopped a student for running a stop sign on campus and he said "Geezz, I just left your mother's class and am late for your wife's class.  This is too many Theophili!"

   

 

1967 Alpine Band Interscholastic League marching band contest prep and performance • video

Martin and Corky Thornton shared Sul Ross practice teaching at Alpine High School. Going the full year enabled work with 5th grade beginners to 12th grade senior. Also taking the Alpine High School Band through both marching and concert seasons. This video is of the Alpine High band practicing for and the performing in Odessa at the 1967 Interscholastic League Marching Band contest. Tony Brons was practice teaching in Marfa and their band and later the  larger 4A bands are shown performing. You'll  see Corky audio recording the Alpine Band, while Martin shot the video to help improve the show.

Alpine High School football stadium & band practice field

                       

1967 Alpine Band Interscholastic League marching band contest in Odessa, Texas

             


1968 Sul Ross, Austin, Alpine, Pyote, Graduation, San Antonio Zoo and 1968 Hemisfair • car shots • video

Corky's birthday • Sul Ross seniors having fun (shot movies to reverse them for effects) - Carol, Corky, Martin • Pyote to visit Carol's grandparents, • Carol and Martin's parents to Austin to pickup TxDPS cars won in auction. Carol, Martin, Corky, Mike & Tony graduating and going to the 1968 Hemisfair & Zoo in San Antonio. Very sad to view the elephants chained in the SA zoo. Taking movies of our '66Mustang and Corky's DPS car.

                       


                     


                   


               

     
       

Martin & Carol pictured with diplomas after receiving bachelor degrees at Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas  

Martin receiving Bachelor of Music degree from Sul Ross University

Carol (Bach & Masters English) & Martin's (Bach Music) Sul Ross State College graduation, May, 1968

Martin's Mom down on Woodward ranch where she hunted rocks regularly.

view 1950's video of SR Geology trip

When it grew up on the Woodward ranch, Martin's Mom was bitten on top of the head by this mountain lion.

 

After graduation, Carol, Martin Corky & Tony Bronze traveled to San Antonio to see Hemisfair - view video clip

Carol playing basket ball with Pepper

Carol playing with pepper.  Martin's Grandmother hanging clothes on the line in background.

Glider flying over hanger at Marfa Army Air Base during Marfa Glider meet in 1967

Glider over old Marfa Army Ai Base

Go to more about the Marfa, Texas area

 

Carol and Martin acquired Baron in 1969.  He was kept part time in our first garage apartment and part time at Martin's parents.  Baron's sister was acquired for Corky.  Martin, Carol and their friend Corky Thornton (below) went to work for the joint City of Alpine and Brewster County police dispatch services during 1967 and 1968.

 

Baron given to Carol & Martin by Jack O'Donnell

 

   

Baron & Tonya (came from El Paso)

 

Carol & Martin's Baron & Tonya with their pups - video

Carol & Martin bought Alice & Carl Williams home when they moved to Midland.  Martin's ex-DPS car.

 

 

Carol & Martin bought Alice & Carl Williams home when they moved to Midland.

Mom (Peg) Santa Elena 1971

Larry & Donna Johnson with Carol & Martin

Alpine DPS officer Jean Pate knew the DPS motor pool manager Mr. O. L. Canady. Jean inquired as to which cars were in the best shape and how much it might take for us to get the bid. He recommended two and we successfully purchased them. When we drove the cars back to Alpine, Jean came by and looked them over. He even straightened the battery caps and other items. He also told us about the brake light cut-off, so folks didn't see the patrol car braking and turning around.

Martin's Dad used the cars for the newspaper delivery and testing tires for the Firestone company test track in Fort Stockton.

Ran out of gas in one of the cars on the way home

   

Here's how they looked when with the Texas DPS  (Left 1963 Plymouth Fury Right 1966 Plymouth Fury)

 

Martin's personal DPS car while working as Sul Ross Officer.  Martin's family purchased used DPS cars for use in their extensive driving.  Here's a video of the DPS Motor Pool in 1967.  Originally the cars were bought using sealed bids and then DPS began using auctions.

Martin's personal DPS car 

Having enjoyed working for the Brewster County Sheriff' Department and City of Alpine Police Department as a police dispatcher, Martin wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.  After graduating with his Bachelor's degree from Sul Ross, Martin worked as a State of Texas Sul Ross Police Officer.  Go to more about the Sul Ross security force - page 1  page 2

  Sul Ross Security Chief's police car 

Martin's Sul Ross police car & Chief's police car

Used DPS Lt's car

Martin's Sul Ross Police car

SR Police patch

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo  

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo

On May 13, 1969 Martin recorded the last Alpine, Texas recording which was for one of the believers.  John Schweers asked Martin to record a Nashville demo for him.  Martin used his Sony TC-630 reel tape recorder.

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo

During his 35 year career, Schweers has had over 200 cuts, written 16 top-10 songs, had 13 No. 1 records, and received over 20 awards from ASCAP and BMI, including the Triple Play Award for having three number one records in one year.

 

News clippings for the Believers and more pdf

John Schweers, a native of San Antonio, Texas, moved to Nashville in 1972. That same year, Tom Collins signed him to a publishing deal with Pi-Gem and Chess Music. Within eighteen months, Schweers had three No. 1 records: "Don’t Fight The Feelings Of Love" and "Amazing Love" on Charley Pride and "Day Dreams About Night Things" on Ronnie Milsap. Other songs on Ronnie Milsap include: "What Goes On When The Sun Goes Down," "Let My Love Be Your Pillow," and "Silent Night After The Fight." Schweers also wrote "She’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory," by Charley Pride; "Looking Out My Window Through The Pain," by Mel Street; "Your Memory," by Steve Wariner; "Do Me With Love," by Janie Frickie; "Golden Tears," by Dave and Sugar; "No On Mends A Broken Heart Like You," by Barbara Mandrell; "It’s A Be Together Night," by Frizzell and West; "Born Country," by Alabama; and his latest, "I Left Something Turned On At Home," by Trace Adkins. Schweers resides near Nashville with his wife, Jane and has a daughter, Ashley.

 

Jean Pate assisted us in working with the DPS motor pool to find really good used cars from the DPS sales.  Martin's Dad used the cars for the newspaper delivery and testing tires for the Firestone company test track in Fort Stockton.

 

1st Anniversary 1968

 

Alpine - Baron and Sister

Louis "Corky" Thornton with Baron's sister

Corky's home with Altec console and Roberts tape recorder

Corky - High School Band Director in Bronte, Texas, Oct 1969 • Married Lynda May Taylor June 11, 1971.

Bronte High School 1969

I am so proud to have known Corky during his college years. We only re-connected this past May (through Facebook) and I am so incredibly saddened that we let our friendship slip away.

Due to the spelling of our last names, Corky and I quickly met as we began our 4 years to obtain Music Education degrees at Sul Ross State College (now University). It was 1964 and even then Corky's energy was motivating the Sul Ross Lobo band. Corky performed brilliantly, whether it was sax in marching and concert band, or voice in choir and coral groups.

Corky designed new band uniforms that were incredibly classy. For marching, the Sul Ross band uniforms looked military and for concert they looked like a tux. Corky performed most of the band instrument repairs; took responsibility for trip coordination; and accompanied my fiancee Carol and I in the college station wagon (or his own) to arrive at tour locations and set up my recording gear before the band busses arrived.

 

 

Corky worked with Carol and I for the City of Alpine Police Department and Brewster County Sheriff's Office as dispatchers. In long shifts we coordinated law enforcement calls for multiple agencies in a multi-county area. Corky and I frequently rode with Jack O'Donnell, one of Alpine's Texas Highway patrolmen. Corky later rode with the DPS in the Bronte area.

We travelled with Corky and his Father (who was with the Santa Fe Railroad) to a freight train crash site in Southern Presidio County. I'll always remember Corky telling us to ride the Santa Fe work car with his Dad and since there wasn't enough room, he'd walk the last few miles. He was always doing things like that.

Corky helped initiate an arrangement for he and I to share practice teaching at Alpine High School. Most often that is done by one student for one half a year. This allowed us to work in a music program throughout a full school year.

We all spent many hours studying; playing cards and truly enjoying our college years. Corky was always funny, serious about his education and a very good friend. We graduated and several us went to San Antonio to Hemisfair '68, then headed out our own ways.

When Corky took his job in Bronte, I stayed in Alpine working briefly in law enforcement and then went into social work and recording. Corky and I visited a few times around Bronte when he and Lynda met and married. Then our lives became caught up in independent endeavors. We attempted to meet when he was in Austin for band competitions a couple of times over the years, but it never worked out for both our schedules.

I am not surprised by all the responses I read from his students. He always strived to give his all to everyone. My wife Chris and I were planning to arrange a trip this Fall to visit Corky & Linda. We waited too long.

Please don't wait to long to reconnect with your friends. It really really hurts when they are suddenly gone. God bless you Corky!
Martin Theophilus

March 23,1946 to October 8, 2009

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.

 

 

Carol & martin with Baron and Pepper

Martin's Grandmother Margaret Crerar (bottom rt), Her sisters:Ina, Mary and Bella (late 1970) - video of Grandma's arrival back in Midland.

 

 

Mom building snow bear

Mom never built a simple snowman.  Here she's made a snow bear.

    

Carol's Grandfather, Grandmother, Carol, her father Phil, Mother LaFawn and brother Ben, and brother Jesse.- View Pyote video

       

 

Fort Stockton water carnival

Martin's Grandmother arriving back to Midland Odessa Airport from her trip to Scotland

Carol & Martin lived in an alley apartment belonging to the Perryman's after they married and then bought Alice and Carl Williams' home (above) in Alpine when they moved to Midland, Texas. Peggy and Tom bought the house from Carol & Martin.

Shafter, Texas church during filming of the Andromeda Strain opening sequence.

Shafter, Texas church during filming of the movie "The Andromeda Strain" in 1969.  Martin was working for the TxDHS when he went to visit clients in Shafter, the production crew was shooting.

View Martin's movie while driving around Shafter

Go to more about the Marfa, Texas area

This was Martin and Rosario De La O's DPW Food Stamp certification office in 1969.  Interestingly the services were funded by Brewster, Jeff Davis & Presidio counties.  When one of the county's defaulted, the office had to be closed.  Martin was instructed to save the files before the owner locked us out of the office.  A quick move was made (with the help of an Alpine PD officer) and the files were set up in Martin's old bedroom in his parents home which had an access door to North 5th street.  Rosario & Martin certified Food Stamp recipients from that location for several weeks.

Carol Baron & Tonya Oct 1969

Carol's horse collection Oct 1069

 

Marfa, Presidio county courthouse 

  Marfa, Presidio county courthouse

Once the Food Stamp office closed, Martin went to work for the Alpine Texas Department of Transportation, but was subsequently asked to return to the Tx DPW to be a Social Worker in the Marfa (Presidio County courthouse), managing the APTD and OAA programs.  His area included Brewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio and Terrell counties.

TxDPW - USDA Surplus Food warehouse Marfa, Texas

This was the old grocery where martin conducted Food Stamp interviews in Redford.

(from left) sitting Carol's Grandfather from Pyote, (standing) Tom Karvonen, Dad, Mom, Ben, Lafawn Avant (Carol's Mom), Ben, Mom, Grandma Crerar, Carol's Grandmother, Peggy, (in front) Karl, George & Carol)

 

Christmas 1967, George, Peggy,Tom, Oliver (Dad) Margaret (Grandma) Peg (Mom) Carol & Martin walking into scene - Carol's guitar

 

Larry and Donna Johnson (San Antonio) with Carol - Video

Larry's bat

1964 Larry & Donna River Road w/Carol, Claude & Martin

 

Martin's Dad's letter / resume in 1969.  He continued to be selfemployed and grew the magazine distribution and Hallmark book store into a successful business.

Martin's Dad's resume from 1969.  While he briefly thought about getting out of the magazine distribution, he and Martin's Mom built a very successful business later turning the distribution building into a book store and Hallmark Card shop.

Carol with her parents and grandparents in Pyote, Texas

Carol with her parents and grandparents in Pyote, Texas

 

 

Paisano Pass between Alpine and Marfa

 

1969 glider crash near Paisano Pass between Alpine and Marfa

Martin and his Dad went to crash site

Phyllis Carol Avant Theophilus- Masters - Sul Ross

Carol receiving her Masters Degree from Sul Ross UNiversity

Carol receiving her masters Degree at Sul Ross University in 1969

 

Carol receiving her Masters

Carol receiving her Masters Degree from Sul Ross UNiversity

 

Barbara & George Jones' Study Butte store

 

George Jones with Barbara, Jerry & Jim at their Study Butte store

 

 

    

Jerry cashiering at Jones' Study Butte Store

Barbara & George Jones in NM  -view Midland video

Jack O'Donnell's DPS car in Alpine.  Jack later was assigned to Sanderson and eventually went to work for the US Border Patrol in Alpine and Marfa.

Jack O'Donnell with his family in Marfa after taking position with US Border Patrol • view video from 1967 while Jack was a Highway Patrolman in Alpine

Parents Christmas 1969

Carol by Martin's Grandparents house by blossoming tree

Ollie at Grand Canyon 1970

 

Peg Calsbad Caverns 1970

 

Peg swimming at Dr. Gaddis' pool in 1971

Ollie & Karen by Brewster County Courthouse 1970

 

  

Karl and Tom at home in Aline. This was the home that was originally Alice & Carl Williams ' home, bought by Carol and Martin after they married and then sold to Peggy and Tom When Carol & Martin moved to Midland.

Sally Peggy Anne & Karen 1970 - Alpine

Peg, Sally, Peggy Anne, Karen & Elsie

Don Ollie, Karl & Sally - Alpine 1970

Don, Sally & Ollie

Alpine Community Band 1970's?

Margaret Crerar watching Alpine Community Band 1970's?

12/70 Carol and Martin's rental home Midland 112 S. Glenwood Dr

photo from Google 2024

 

   

Corky - High School Band Director in Bronte, Texas, Oct 1969 • Married Lynda May Taylor June 11, 1971.

 

 

Bronte High School 1969

 

 

Memorial page to Louis "Corky" Thornton

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Part 1 1878 to 1945

Part 2 1946 to 1956

Part 3 1957 to 1963

Part 4  1963 to 1966

Part 5 1967 to 1970

Part 6  1970 to 1977

Part 7 1978 to 1982

Part 8 1982 to 1984

1984 to present

Related links  

Alpine Marfa

Chris history

Canine Family  

Dancer & KD   Home

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Scrapbook

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Click this link to view more about David Perkoff Music

Please visit the Museum of Magnetic Sound RecordingHot Air Ballooning
  1970-73  
 



New generations productions staff in Austin Custom records offices

 
 

2011

 
Chris at sunset in West Texas
picture of Troubador on his First Birthday
picture of the back of the house
picture of Dancer running
Picture of Martin in museum December 2004
Martin, Mary,Jim and Chris working on IBAT History video
Chris & Dancer riding in River Crossing
 
 

2015

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