Donald Ray Thornton, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Murray, Utah. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Don was born November 28, 1936 to Kenneth Ray and Alma Adaline Thornton in Hampton, Nebraska. He moved at the age of 10 months with his family to California where he spent his early life.
Don received his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley. Later he received a Bachelors Degree and his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering at BYU in 1967. He loved building and flying radio controlled airplanes as often as possible. Don had a curious mind and loved to explore ways to do new things. His double degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering were very helpful as he pursued his career.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings, including an LDS mission to the Central Atlantic States. He especially loved working in the temple and with people. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ which sustained him throughout his life. He married his sweetheart Carol Kindred on September 10, 1965 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his children Dave, Becky and Dan; grandchildren, Conner, Karli, Britnee, Zack, Lucas, and Meade. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard Thornton.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Willow Canyon 6th Ward, 9636 South 1700 East, Sandy, Utah. A visitation will precede the funeral services from 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, Utah.
