Clarence L. Thornton, Jr.

Clarence L. Thornton, Jr. (C.L.) died Saturday May 4, 2024, peacefully at home in St. Joseph, Missouri at the young age of 94.

Clarence was born April 25, 1930, in Beeville, Texas the son of Clarence L. Thornton, Sr. and Lola Lee Smith Thornton.

Clarence retired at the age of thirty-five from Civil Service of which he was immensely proud. He went on to serve as a superintendent in refinery construction. In his free time, he enjoyed shrimping, building model airplanes and air boats, inventing-creating and capturing photo memories of his family. He lived his life the way he wanted, and that was to the fullest and fastest every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann Thornton (wife), Larry Thornton (son), Holly Thornton-August (daughter) and Persephone Ackman and Isabella Ackman (great-great grandchildren).

His legacy carries on with 2 daughters, Mary Lee Thornton and Anna Marie Martin both of Atchison, KS; 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and numerous friends and extended family who loved him deeply.