Michael Wood Thornburg

When Michael Wood Thornburg was born on November 30, 1948, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, his father, Emery, was 28 and his mother, Marion, was 25. Mick (as he was fondly known by friends and family) was an avid sports fan from a young age, and often reminisced about playing basketball for West Snyder high school in Pennsylvania. When he graduated West Snyder in 1966, not only was he on the Varsity Basketball and Baseball teams, but he was also in the Projectionist Club, a member of the Boys’ quartet, and a Chorus member. During the Vietnam War, drafting was imminent, so he followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Marines in July of 1968. He served as a sergeant in Vietnam from 1970-1971, and was awarded two Good Conduct Medals. While stationed in California, Mick met the love of his life, Merry Jane Cox. They were married on July 23, 1972, in California. They had three children during their marriage. Their first born, daughter Michelle Marie Thornburg was born in Pennsylvania in 1973. Following their move from Pennsylvania to California in 1974, the couple was blessed with son Thomas Michael Thornburg in 1977, followed by Melanie Brooke Thornburg in 1978. Mick was preceded in death by his wife Merry on December 19, 1979. Michael Wood Thornburg passed away on June 26, 2015, at his home in Loma Linda, California, at the age of 66. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Merry Jane Thornburg on Friday July 17, 2015.

Michael is survived by his three children Michelle Marie Munson (husband Chris Munson), Thomas Michael Thornburg (wife Stephanie Toste Thornburg), and Melanie Brooke Thornburg Todd (husband Preston Todd); grandchildren Nathan, Ella, Ian, Cora, and Brendon; sister Patricia Koptchak; brother Stephen Thornburg; and the memory that will live on in the lives of his extended family and friends.