Jim was born June 23, 1930, in Bartlesville, Okla., to Harold and Sadie Thornbury. The second of three boys, Jim moved with his family to south Texas as a child, spending much of his youth in the small town of Freer. Nicknamed "Whitey" because of his sun-bleached blonde hair, he played football and ran track at Freer High School.
He attended Texas Tech University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951, serving as a cryptographer in the Korean War. After the war, he completed his BA in History at the University of Texas.
On a trip to the Pacific Northwest while working for the H.C. Price pipeline company, Jim met Evelyn Boyce, the love of his life whom he married Nov. 12, 1963. The couple later relocated to the Puget Sound area, with Jim joining The Boeing Company as a buyer where he worked until his retirement in 1995. Jim lived in Renton nearly 50 years, raising two children.
Jim was an avid fisherman and Civil War buff. He enjoyed camping, sports (especially football) and growing dahlia flowers. He was a man of good humor and loved telling stories, especially of his time growing up in Texas. Jim's Christian faith was central to his life. He was generous and kind and always ready to help a friend.
Jim is preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 33 years, and brothers Bill and Bob. He is survived by his daughter Sabrina Thornbury-Bracken (Raul), of Irvine, Calif., son Jason (Nora) of Maple Valley, Wash., granddaughter Melanie Dadvar and grandsons Luke and Charles Thornbury.
Funeral services will be held Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Memorial Park. Viewing is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
