John F. Thornton Jr., Verizon retiree

John F. Thornton Jr., 85, of Georgetown passed away Monday, June 26, 2017.

Mr. Thornton was born in Wilmington to the late John F. Thornton Sr. and Alice A. Phillips Thornton. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by two brothers, Warren and Leonard.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served during the Korean War Era. He retired from the Diamond State Phone Co./Verizon in 1992 after 36 years of service. John was a member of Mary Mother of Peace Roman Catholic Church, Telephone Pioneers, American Legion Post 28, and the Knights of Columbus. He was outgoing, very caring and always had a smile. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Phyllis Thornton of Georgetown; three sons, James Thornton and his wife Beverly of Smyrna, Tenn., John F. Thornton III and his wife Deborah of Georgetown, and William J. Thornton of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; two daughters, Kathy Clough and her husband John of Frankford, and Sharon Murphy and her husband John of Georgetown. He is also survived by two brothers, Thomas Thornton and his wife Margie of Wisconsin, and Michael Thornton of Pennsylvania; three sisters, Alice Morey of Tennessee, Ellen Godfrey and her husband Bob of Wilmington, and Janice Corcran and her husband Tom of Pennsylvania, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 30, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. for viewing and visitation. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Mary Mother of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 202 Edwards St., Georgetown, DE 19947.