Ronald Gordon “Ront” Thornton died February 10, 2025. “Ront” was a devoted husband, loving father, and grandfather.
He was born on 27 December 1940 to Gordon and Edna Thornton in LaFayette, GA. Ront had a long and storied career as a Master Machinist working at several machine shops over the decades, including Jackson Machine, Gadsden County Machine, and most recently at A&K Machine. While he has been retired for several years now, he could quite literally make anything someone could draw. He traveled to Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela to install machines that he had a hand in making. Ront was also an avid hunter, having hunted several types of deer, bear, caribou, mountain goats, and Russian boar, just to name a few.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Alice, parents Gordon and Edna. Brothers: Tilman, John, Mack, and Tony. Sisters: Adel Thornton, Barbara Hamilton, Margaret Southerland, and Marylin Reynolds.
Survivors include his son: Master Sergeant Jeff “JT” (USAF Retired) (Karen) Thornton of Byron GA. Daughters: Rhonda (Kyle) Stowers of Ringgold GA, Sharon Thornton, of LaFayette GA and Desiree (Chad) Hicks of Fort Oglethorpe GA, life partner of 5 years Sherrie Pell; brothers, Don, Jim (Nita), Bill (Allison), Dan; sister, Maxine (Bud) Chapman; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13, in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Bro. Joey Thornton officiating. Interment in LaFayette Memory Gardens.
The pallbearers are Matt Thornton, Greg Chapman, Keith McKin, Allen Thornton, Ray Thornton, Jody Thornton. Honorary pallbearers are Kermit (Shorty) Smith, Jim Smith, Tony Henry, and Karl Goble.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
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