 Herald Democrat
Monday, May 5, 2008 A5 Bob Wayne Thornton, age 81, of Van Alstyne, Texas was born on July 30, 1926 in Anna, Texas to Cecil Lorus and Glydle Mable Norwood Thornton. Bob died on Sunday, May 4, 2008. After graduating from Anna High School, he attended the University of Texas Arlington for one year. A fourth generation farmer, he the returned to the farm and worked land in Grayson and Collin Counties for over 65 years. He started with a team of mules and ended with the latest equipment and computers available and was Collin County Conservationist Farmer of the Year in 1986. He served as National Vice President; then three years as National President of AAM and spent many lobbying at the state and national levels. Bob came to know Congressman Ralph Hall, Texas Senator Jim Tower, Secretary of Agriculture John Block and because of Willie Nelson's support of family farmers, Bob became . . . When the IRS foreclosed on Willie's ranch in Austin, Bob bought the ranch on the courthouse steps and sold it back to Nelson on generous terms. As a result, Bob and Willie have been long time friends. Bob also lobbied Congressman and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn to get rural telephone service in the early 1940s. He was a founding member and president of South Grayson Water Supply, a charter member of the Hurricane Creek Country Club, he served on the Van Alstyne Library Board and was a member of the Van Alstyne First Christian Church. He is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Sheryl and Walt Priest of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Brenda and Wayne Baggett of Friendswood, Texas and Linda and David Wood of Van Alstyne, Texas; five grandchildren, Brian Priest and wife Amanda of Alabaster, Alabama, Stewart Priest of Little Rock, Arkansas; Emily Baggett Hess and husband, James of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Trevor Wood of Van Alstyne, Texas and Tyler Wood of Wichita Falls; two great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Isaiah Hess; his special friend and companion Betty Drain of Farmersville, Texas; and a sister, Jo Ann Cavender of Van Alstyne, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Billie Bryan Thornton, a son, Bryan Norwood Thornton and parents. Bob' family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Flesher Funeral Home, Van Alstyne. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2008, at Flesher Funeral Home with burial in Van Alstyne Cemetery. Memorials made be made to the First Christian Church. Van Alstyne Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |