John attended and earned his BS degree from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks), in Chemical Engineering. He went on to work and retire from DuPont Chemical Corporation as a chemical engineer. While working for DuPont, John patented four gold mining technologies.
In high school and college, John was an accomplished clarinet player. He authored and published "Instrumental: The Leo Haesle Saga" - a tribute to his high school band director.
John enjoyed photography, fishing, golf, and genealogy; he was a fair-weather Minnesota Vikings fan and learned to surf in Hawaii at age 68. John’s greatest love was his family and large family gatherings.
John was preceded in death by Wife, Helen Thorpe; Parents, LD & Hannah Thorpe; Sisters, Betty Kjos and Lois Eichhorst.
He is survived by brother, Myron Kjos (Carol); Children, Janet Thorpe Estey (Vern), Palm Coast, FL, David Thorpe (Corienne), Germantown, TN, Donna Thorpe Crone (Chris), Marion, AR, Colleen Thorpe Goodspeed (Dan), Memphis, TN; Clare M. Thorpe (former wife and mother of his children), Memphis, TN, Bill Hiner (Carol), Millington, TN, Thomas Hiner, FL, Becky Hiner (Bobby), Johnson City, TN; Grandchildren; John Daniel Goodspeed, Kristen Crone, Justin Crone (Meg), Daniel Thorpe, Liz Thorpe, Jennifer Bigler (Mike), Andrea Easley (Tom), Billy Hiner (Mitzi), Chris Hiner (Tracy), Daniel Hiner (Heather) Kenneth Hiner (Danielle), Janet Barnhill (Danny), John Thomas Hiner; also survived by several great-grandchildren; and his companion, Mary O'Rourke.
The family will gather to receive friends for John on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N Germantown Rd, Bartlett, Tennessee 38133, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Thorpe family.
Donations in John’s honor may be made to the Wolf River Pipers and Drums c/o Bill Hiner, or St. Jude Children Research Hospital.
