Montgomery Edward “Monty” Thorne, Sr., 93, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully on the morning of Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. A celebration of his life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, with a visitation to follow.
Monty was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, in 1932, the youngest of three siblings, to Ren Atherton Thorne and Katherine Lewis Thorne. He graduated from Emory University Academy and Emory Junior College in Oxford, Georgia, and then from Georgia Tech in 1955 with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. After serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, he returned to Atlanta where he met and married Mary Ann Kelley from Talladega, Alabama.
The following year, he joined Shell Oil Company in Port Everglades, Florida as an Industrial Lubricants Engineer. Then, following assignments with Shell in Florida, California and New York, he moved in 1972 to Shell’s Head Office in Houston, Texas and was appointed Shell’s Regional Marketing Manager for the Mid-continent Region. And, in 1988, to Shell’s Manager of Head Office Retail Operations and Corporate Advertising. He retired from Shell in 1993 after 35 years of service.
Over the years Monty was active in many endeavors outside of Shell Oil. While living in Houston, he and Mary Ann headed up the Memorial Drive Methodist Church’s Youth Fellowship Program for several years, and then founded the Church’s Annual Fair and Auction “fundraising” event. He also served on the Church’s Finance Committee. After retirement, he became President of Shell’s 4,000 member Houston Alumni Association. He and Mary Ann moved in 2001 to Columbus, Georgia to be close to family and grandchildren. In Columbus, he joined St. Luke Methodist Church’s Finance Committee and contributed to numerous Church fundraising and service events. He also sat on the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors and the Brookstone School’s Board of Visitors.
Monty was preceded in death by his parents; by his brother Ren A. Thorne, Jr.; by his sister, Grace Thorne Doms, and her husband, Robert; and, in 2010, by Mary Ann, his beloved wife of 52 years.
He is survived by his sons Montgomery Edward “Ted” Thorne, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Columbus, Georgia and Charles “Pace” Thorne (Janet) of The Woodlands, Texas; his grandchildren, Elizabeth “Kelley” Thorne Eyzaguirre (Gonzalo), Katherine “Kate” Thorne Carruthers (Alex) and Montgomery Edward “Trey” Thorne III; his two great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Sallie Peebles; his brother-in-law Jimmy Kelley (Caroline); his cousin-in-law Jane Wilder; numerous nephews, nieces, and many dear friends.
His family will remember Monty as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and a dear friend to all. He cherished every member of his family and extended family, and delighted in keeping in close touch with them. He was a genuine, loving person. We loved him dearly, and we will miss him greatly!
Flowers are welcome, and memorial contributions may also be made in his honor to St. Luke United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 867, Columbus, GA 31902.
