Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries..... Thornton , John James "Jim" September 12 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K T bluewolf@onemain.com September 16, 2004, 3:32 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
John James "Jim" Thornton 
11/10/1916 09/12/2004

Born John James Thornton November 10, 1916 in Des Moines, New Mexico (about 4 
years after New Mexico became a state), Thornton is one of thirteen children, 
six older and six younger, born to James Fletcher and Sally Florence (Baker) 
Thornton. 

Thornton hitchhiked to California in 1935 to accept a tuition scholarship from 
and to attend LaVerne College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, as 
well as elementary and junior high teaching credentials. He continued his 
education at the University of Southern California and Fresno State College to 
earn a general secondary credential and elementary administration credential. 
Thornton came to the Delano area in 1939 and served in various positions as 
teacher, vice principal and superintendent in the communities of Earlimart, 
Columbine, Pond and Delano for a total of 37 years and has served the area as 
a locksmith since retiring from school work in 1977.

He has been active in community service over the years by serving as a Scout 
Master, Community Merit Badge Counselor for Scouts, Cub and Boy Scout 
committee member and has helped organize and supported 4-H Clubs and 
activities in the communities where he has taught. He helped organize the 
local Little League and Babe Ruth League and served as a secretary for the 
local and state Central Division of the Babe Ruth League.

Thornton has served on the Delano Recreation Commission, the Delano Planning 
Commission and the Delano 50th Anniversary Commission, where he heped plan, 
edit and worked to print the Delano Historical book, Delano, A Land of 
Promise. He spent about five years prior to the book collecting old 
photographs on Delano History, creating slides from the photos and giving 
shows to various groups, clubs and organizations throughout the city. 

He has worked with the Delano Historical Society in collecting historical 
artifacts, and arranged for the moving and placement of the Jasmine School at 
the Heritage Park Site. He made the contacts and helped arrange for the 
expansion of the Heritage Park Grounds.


Thornton has received various awards and recognition in the past: Man of the 
Year by the Delano Teachers Association for outstanding service to youth; Life 
Membership and Community Service awards from Pond and Del Vista Schools PTAs; 
was invited to and attended a Governors Conference in Sacramento on Youth 
Participation in Community Affairs; was chosen as Grand Marshal for the 100th 
Anniversary of Delanos Founding parade. He was also named Grand Marshal of the 
Delano Harvest Holidays in 1990. Thornton was a member and Past Master of the 
Delano Lodge #309 F.&A.M. and received the coveted Hiram Award in 1994; the 
Delano Historical Society; the National Association of Clock and Watch 
Collectors; the Associated Locksmiths of America.

Thorntons hobbies over the years have been a jockey in county fairs and 
matched horse races, breaking and training young horses, hunting and fishing, 
growing dahlias, collecting and restoring early American clocks, reading and 
gardening.

In 1943 he married Inez Renee Erickson of San Francisco. They had one son, 
Jeffrey James Thornton.

Survivors include his wife, Inez; son, Jeffrey and his wife, Karen; two 
granddaughters, Laura Ashley Thornton and Alyssa Kathryn Thornton of Danville, 
KY; sisters, Alta Lee Wicks of Dallas, TX and Vivian Bernola of Albuquerque, 
NM; sister-in-law, Emmy Lou Hanford of Sacramento, and many nieces and 
nephews. At the request of the deceased, no services will be held. Neptune 
Society will be in charge.

Jim passed away September 12, 2004 at 1:50 p.m. The family would like to thank 
Dr. Kyle Terry and staff for their excellent care; the Delano Regional Medical 
Center, the Delano Skilled Nursing Facility for their care; and all the 
wonderful friends for their prayers, cards, and loving wishes. To Ida Ramirez 
for her prayers, and a very special thank you for Susie Ramirez, his loving 
and devoted care giver.

Donation to your own favorite charity. He loved everybody and he will be 
missed.


The phone rings I will be there soon off goes the little white van with his 
faithful companion beside him, his dog, Hope. 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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