Alfred Thornton Obituary

On the evening of August 17, 2016, comforted by his wife Candy, Alfred "Al" Edward Thornton, age 84, passed away in Biloxi, Mississippi succumbing to his year-long battle with lung cancer.

Al was born on July 7, 1932 in Camden, New Jersey. Al served 27 years in the Air Force, primarily as an applied statistician providing management analysis support to base commanders including tours in Austria and South Korea. Al retired as a non-commissioned officer in June 1974 as one of the earliest blacks to achieve the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9)… opening the door for others to follow in his footsteps. Al was a member of the Masons and supported his community through many activities. During his tour at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM, Al joined the Aero Club and obtained his private pilot's license as a young airman and flew solo trips in a Cessna 150 as a hobbyist. After his retirement from the Air Force, he became a successful businessman and entrepreneur in Colorado Springs running multiple retail businesses. His community service continued when during one Thanksgiving, he partnered with the mayor of Colorado Springs and made up food baskets and delivered them to needy families. Al enjoyed his retirement and had the funniest, wittiest, and quickest sense of humor that he shared often with everyone. Al loved to cook and grill for his friends, attend tailgate parties during Air Force Academy football season, entertain his friends and family, play cards and games, and he was an ardent fan of the Denver Broncos always willing to take a friendly wager against their opposition. Al was an avid fisherman and he spent his last year doing what he loved the most, fishing. He didn't catch much, but for him, the fun was in the serenity and peace he obtained while focusing on the task of catching a fish. Al was respected and loved by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, and his oldest daughter, Cheryl. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Candy Thornton; his son Anthony Thornton and daughter-in-law, Glenna, of Albuquerque, NM; his daughter Sandra Morales of Denver, CO; his grandson, Aaron Martin of Los Angeles, CA; two great granddaughters, one great-great granddaughter; and his sisters Lenora of Philadelphia, PA, Marion, of Glasboro, NJ, and Audrey Miller and her husband Ken of Sicklerville, NJ as well as extended family and friends.

A military memorial service will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery, at 400 Veterans Avenue, in Biloxi, MS on Friday, September 9, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or to your favorite cause or charity. A memorial event celebrating Al's life will follow in Colorado Springs, CO, date to be announced later.

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services in Ocean Springs, Mississippi is serving the family.

You may share your memories and send your condolences to the family at www.smfs.us

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