CWO-4 Terrence Edward Thornton of Greensboro passed away Monday, November 7, 2016 at Spring Arbor of Greensboro while surrounded by his loving family.
A Funeral Service was held Friday, November 11th at Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. A Graveside Service with Military and Masonic Honors was held Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at H. Warren Smith Cemetery in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Terry was born in High Point to the late Eugene Elliott and Evie Viola Gossett Thornton. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and retired after traveling the world and 30 years of service as Electrical Officer. Terry served on several ships with his longest tenure being 10 years on the USS Coral Sea CVA 43. The last ship he served on was the USS Yosemite AD 19 under Captain Tim Roberts. As Capt. Roberts once said “Terry was a quiet man but when he spoke, you listened”. During his career he received the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy, Terry worked as Quality Assurance Manager in the Jacksonville Ship Yards and retired after 17 years of service.
In 1959 Terry married the love of his life Clarece Elizabeth Cruickshank of Westerly R.I. They were members of St. Paul’s By the Sea in Jacksonsville Beach, Fla. and he was a 32nd Degree Mason. When not serving his country Terry enjoyed his precious time with his family, working in his garden and wood working. Terry and Clarece moved to Greensboro in 2015 where they could be closer to family.
Terry is preceded in death by his children, Carol Elizabeth Adsit Brackett and L/Cpl. Paul Stuart Thornton of the U.S. Marines; sisters, Ila “Pauline” Thornton Kiser and Frances Marie Thornton Kirk and nephew, Jerry Kirk. Survivors include his wife, Clarece; nieces, Lana Kiser Smith (Charles) of Kernersville and Dara Kirk Vega of Pembroke Pines, Fla. and nephew, D. Randall Kiser (Kay) of Oak Ridge; son-in-law, Charles Brackett (Carolyn) of Rome, GA; brother-in-law, George Cruickshank (Betty) of Westerly R.I.; two grandchildren, four great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and great niece, Shannon Smith Coltrane.
The family expresses their gratitude to Spring Arbor of Greensboro and Hospice of Greensboro for their excellent care of Terry. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405 or to the Alzheimers Association, 4615 Dundas Dr., Greensboro NC 27407.
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