Paul Thornton Obituary

Thornton, Paul

Paul Herman Thornton, 90, passed away peacefully in Hazel Crest, Illinois, on March 17, 2023. Paul was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on January 20, 1933, to loving parents Leonard Thornton and Arnetta Newton Thornton and his older siblings, Leonard Thornton, Leon Thornton, and Evelyn Thornton Penn, all of whom preceded him in death.

Paul graduated from Bartlett High School in St. Joseph in 1951. An accomplished athlete, he was a point guard on the basketball team. He also played drums in the school band and served as president of the Student Council and principal of the school on Student Government Affairs. In addition, he was first assistant vice president for a bank operated by Bartlett High Boys' Business Club.

Paul enrolled at the country's first degree-granting Historically Black College and University, Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri. While there, he was a member of the Wesley Foundation and the Business League and pledged and became a proud Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity member. While in college, Paul was first lieutenant in the ROTC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1955.

He was then deployed as a first lieutenant in the Army for active duty overseas in Germany. He received an honorable discharge in 1957.

Paul's road led him to Illinois, where in 1960, he began his 36-year career with the Internal Revenue Service. He was instrumental in educating and developing members of the Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the IRS to achieve their career goals. He simultaneously attended Loyola Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor Degree in 1969. In 1995, the Black Law Students Association at Loyola awarded him the Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his commitment to the Civil Rights Movement.

Paul served on the Hazel Crest, Illinois, Fire and Police Commission for more than 25 years. Many of Paul's accomplishments from high school, college, and throughout his career are showcased in the Black Archives Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The same fortuitous road that led him to Chicago and his career also led him to the love of his life, Barbara Jean Doty Thornton, whom he married on November 5, 1960, and who preceded him in death.

One of the great passions of his life was golf. He made life-long friends on the links and was a valued and respected Tee Birds Golf Club member. Paul also enjoyed fun-filled laughter at weekly poker games with his friends.

Left to honor his memory and legacy are daughters Sherri Thornton Pierce (Mike Pierce) and Paula Thornton Greear; grandchildren Jade Greear and Jackson Greear; beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a whole host of friends and acquaintances.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 PM on Friday, March 24, at Leak & Sons Funeral Home in Country Club Hills. A celebration of life service and repast will be held for Paul Herman Thornton beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 25, at Leak & Sons Funeral Home in Country Club Hills.

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