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James “Buck” Thornton, age 71, of Spindale, NC, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2013.
Buck was born June 11, 1942 in Rutherford County, NC, to the late James Arthur Thornton and Pauline Smart Thornton. He was a member of the first graduating class of Chase High School, class of 1960 and served in the US Air Force. Buck worked for AGI for thirty years before his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking and building unique country crafts and “what nots” which lead to him owning and operating The Golf Duck craft store for several years. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Spindale where he served as a deacon and was instrumental in starting the church’s Soup Kitchen to help needy families. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and crafter. Among Buck’s special talents was being a “Master Picker”. This talent was displayed in his ability to find bargains and turn them into a profit by reselling his “treasures.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Kaye Elmore Thornton; four brothers, Jack, Johnny, Joe and Robin Thornton; sister, Gayle Thornton McCullough; aunt, Lottie Muriel Thornton Scruggs and a first cousin, Roger McMinn.
Survivors include his loving wife, Carol Tanner-Thornton; two daughters, Lori Thornton and her spouse, Christy Hicks of West Chester, PA and Kelly Thornton of Asheville; son, Michael Thornton and wife, Sheila of Shelby; step-daughter, Tonya Tanner-Cecil and husband, Ken of High Point; step-son, Brennan E. Tanner of Greenbelt, MD; brother, Jerry Thornton of Forest City; three grandchildren, Taylor Thornton, Tanner Cecil and Caleb Cecil.
Funeral services were conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dr. Joel Fisher officiating. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Spindale; Building Fund/Roof Repair, PO Box 508, Spindale, NC 28160.
Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.
