Gordon Lee Thorn

Born in Bloomfield, Missouri, Gordon graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1957 and earned his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1960. He pursued his passion for medicine at Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience, College of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving his Doctorate of Osteopathy in 1964. Following his internship at Stevens Park Hospital in Dallas, Texas, he completed a four-year residency in Orthopedic Surgery.

In 1971, Gordon joined Orthopedic Surgeons, Inc. (OSI) in the Kansas City area, where he built a distinguished career as a leader and mentor in Osteopathic Orthopedic Surgery. He served on the Board of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, leaving a lasting impact on the profession and those he guided.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. Be it downhill skiing in the Rockies or cruising the seas to ports around the world. He was at ease and made friends wherever he traveled.

Gordon was the beloved middle child of Oris Thorn and Willma Harty Thorn. He is survived by his sisters, Marilyn Ward and Elizabeth Haywood (Greg), who cherished his warmth and wisdom.

He is also survived by his wife, Shirley Douglas Thorn. Gordon was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Thorn, who passed away in 2018.

A proud and loving father, Gordon leaves behind three sons: Gordon Thorn (Jennifer) of Henderson, NV; Jason Thorn (Jessamine) of Minneapolis, MN; and David Thorn (Sara) of Overland Park, KS. He also leaves four grandchildren—Lydia, Elena, Nathan, and Joshua.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at O’Neill’s Restaurant and Bar, located at 9417 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of a life well lived.