In Memory

Ross Thornton - Class Of 1949 VIEW PROFILE

Ross Thornton

Courtesy of ShelbyCountyToday.Com

 

Arthur Ross Thornton

Arthur Ross Thornton, 86, of Timpson, Texas, passed away on November 21, 2017 in Timpson. He was born on July 18, 1931 in Timpson to Arthur T. Thornton and Jewell B. Morris Thornton. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 24, 2017 at Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Rusty Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Blair Cemetery. 

A visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Taylor Funeral Home. 

Ross was a fourth-generation family farmer at the Thornton Farm in the Blair Community in Timpson. He started milking cows at the young age of seven and developed a passion that lasted a lifetime. He graduated from Timpson High School in 1949 and then served in the United States Army for three years, before heading south to work at Monsanto Chemical as an operator in Texas City. There is where his life changed forever. Each day, Ross would eat at a bus stop restaurant and became enamored with Betty Gene Matthes, a beautiful cashier who also sold bus tickets. He would ask her out daily, and Betty turned him down time after time. She finally told him that she had two little girls to worry about and Ross told her, “Well, that’s just what I need!” Ross and Betty were married on October 19, 1955 and lived an amazing and love filled marriage for 62 years. Those two little girls, Karen and Dawn became his pride and joy. While Ross may not have been their birth father, Karen and Dawn were “his girls” and they counted it one of the greatest blessings to call him “Daddy.” 

Ross was one of the hardest working men around. He retired from Monsanto Chemical, but also worked for Austin Power, Brown and Root, and Acme Brick. Throughout this entire journey, he never lost his roots at the farm. He made sure to always find time to come home and continue the traditions ingrained in his heart. Some of the most treasured times spent with his daughters were working on the farm, riding horses and sharing his knowledge and wisdom of the world with them. He taught his family to have a strong work ethic and no matter what challenges might come, to face them with dignity, find a solution and never ever give up. “Push through” he would say. He was pure country and was proud of it. Ross wasn’t all work and no play. He loved every second spent with his family; especially the grandkids and great-grandkids.

When the whole crew would get together, you most likely would find them playing 42 or Canasta. Ross was a pro at 42 and even won local tournaments with his skill. He also enjoyed reading western books and watching western movies, but if the Cowboys were playing, he would be cheering on his team. He even hoped and prayed that after he passed, Jerry Jones would open up the stadium roof so that he might watch from Heaven. In his later years, Ross became less able to work with the cows on the farm, but he most certainly did not lose interest. He spent much of his time simply watching them each day. He liked those slow, quiet moments just observing the animals he’d dedicated his life to. It brought him serenity. Ross served on the Timpson ISD School Board a number of years and was also a member of Timpson First United Methodist Church where he and his wife were actively involved throughout their lifetime. Love, compassion, humility, and a truly genuine heart are words that describe Ross and attributes that will be dearly missed. 

Ross is survived by:
His beloved wife: Betty Gene Thornton of Timpson

Daughters:
Karen R. Shepherd and husband Gary Pierce, of Timpson
Dawn Marie Mitchell and husband, Rusty of Plano

Grandchildren:
Kristin
Bryce
Kari
Bryan
Betty
Dawna
Tandy
Mike
Chris

Seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Jewell Thornton; and sisters, Hildred Dempsey and Audrey King.

Pallbearers will be Michael Talley, Bryce Harris, Bryan Harris, Gary Pierce, Tracy Hooper, and Jerry Greer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Dillon, Ryan Majcher, and Joe Walker. 

The family is being served by Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. 

To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.taylorfh.net. 





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