David Emmett Thornton

Born on April 12, 1945, Dave was the middle of three children born to Floyd and Anita. Growing up, he developed a passion for Corriedale sheep (an interest that persisted throughout his life) and bought his first sheep in high school with his own money. One of his proudest accomplishments was an FFA award he won for conservation of a pasture, which earned him a train ticket to the FFA National Convention in Kansas City. He graduated from Sierra High School in 1964 and briefly attended Reedley College.

A hard worker, much of his life was spent working in construction. As early as ten years old, he was helping his father move equipment around, learning to operate machinery that would later become his livelihood. In the late 1960s, he worked for a few years as a mechanic in El Cajon, but after the birth of his first son, he returned home to his mountain community and started a business with his father called Thornton & Son. They worked as general contractors on a variety of projects throughout the mountains. He later started Mountain Movers in the early 1980s and continued doing construction work.

After retiring, he was able to focus on more artistic pursuits: woodworking and sawmilling. He taught himself to carve a multitude of beautiful creations, from intricate flowers and ornaments to a chess set. He even won first prize at the Big Fresno Fair for one of his carved roses.

Dave was admired by many for his diligent work ethic and his charitable heart for others. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, from cutting and delivering wood to seniors to volunteering with the local FFA chapter. He was a lifelong member of the Eastern Fresno County Historical Society—he donated lumber for the building, contributed several family artifacts for display in the museum, and provided items for their auctions. After the Creek Fire, he donated wood to those who had lost their homes. There was never any doubt about the love and care he had for his community.

He is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Anita, his sisters Lynda Kurkendall and Elaine Whitley, and his wife Danielle Abston. He is survived by: son David, his wife Nicole, and his daughter Sierra Lionudakis; daughter Angela; son Richard, his wife Janette, and their children Ariel and Jack; stepdaughter Christine Dearden, her husband Kirk, and her children Jake and Emily Hand; and stepson Jon Abston and his wife Penny.