Don Thornburgh

James Donald Thornburgh, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, the 4th of March, 2025 after a brief illness. He was 89 years of age. Born January 19, 1936, he was preceded in death by his parents, Amos Thornburgh and Josephine Peavy Thornburgh.

A lifelong resident of Birmingham, Don became an Eagle Scout as a teen and then earned his mechanical engineering degree from Auburn University where he was a member of the ROTC and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. After graduating from Auburn, Don married the love of his life, Mary Sue Maples Thornburgh and the couple were married for 60 years, together enjoying traveling and their family until her death in 2022. He served in the United States Army as a Lieutenant for two years in Germany. An active member and deacon of Independent Presbyterian Church, Don worked as a manager at Alabama Power before transitioning to Southern Company. After retirement he served as the business manager of the Virginia Samford Theatre for 10 years.

Mary Sue and Don raised two sons, John Winston (Joanie Connell) and James Donald Thornburgh, Jr. (Chu Kim, who are both practicing attorneys in California. Three granddaughters, Elizabeth Thorell and Riley and Kaylee Thornburgh of California were the joys of his life.

Graveside services with Army Military Honors will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 21st of March, at Alabama National Cemetery. The cemetery is located at 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama 35115. Those attending should arrive at the main office building at 10:45 a.m. to be placed in line for the procession. The Reverend Susan Clayton of Independent Presbyterian Church will officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Don’s name be directed to Independent Presbyterian Church located at 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 by visiting their website at https://www.ipc-usa.org or to the Virginia Samford Theatre located at 1116 26th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 or by visiting their website at https://www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood.