Scoop Thornhill

Gabriel Felder “Scoop” Thornhill III was born March 14, 1928 to Gabriel Felder Thornhill Jr. and Weta Acker (Ingram) Thornhill. Scoop was raised in Austin, attending Pease Elementary, Allen Junior High and graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School. He received his BBA from the University of Texas in 1948 and later studied investment banking at Wharton. While at The University, he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, was named a Goodfellow and was active in intramurals–especially water polo and swimming.

Scoop entered the U.S. Army after being drafted out of the Navy and served in Korea, receiving The Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant.

In 1953 Scoop entered the securities business and opened an office in Austin for Dewar, Robertson and Pancoast. He continued in the securities business throughout his career, opening the first discount brokerage in Austin and retiring only recently. His son, Gabe, is now president of Thornhill Securities.

Throughout his life, Scoop’s top priorities remained his family, friends and doing for others.

In 1960 Scoop married Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Vick from Houston and they have three children, Gabe, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.

Scoop loved his friends–laughing, doing and being with them–and thoroughly enjoyed his association with the Admirals Club, Allegro (Houston), Coronet Club, the annual Dekes’ Reunion, Headliners Club, Idlewild (New Mexico), The Revelers, Tarry House and his weekly tennis foursome.

Scoop was an active member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, serving on the Vestry and as chairman of the Endowment Committee. He taught Sunday School for several years. He served as treasurer of Historic Laguna Gloria, on the boards of Child and Family Service, Child Guidance Center, Urban Renewal, the Young Men’s Business League and the Austin History Center. Additionally he served as a trustee of Westminster Manor for eighteen years. He was a member of the Investment Bankers of America, where he served on the legislative committee. He was a founder and second president of the Austin Investment Association. Scoop was also a member of the Advisory Council of The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas.

Scoop is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 51 years, Mary Lib Thornhill; their son Gabriel Felder Thornhill IV and his wife Susie Clevenger Thornhill and their three children W. Curry Shoff, Gabriel Felder Thornhill V and Travis Ransom Thornhill; their daughter Elizabeth Thornhill Wagster and her husband John S. Wagster and their two children: Mary Ann Wagster and John “Jack” Thornhill Wagster; their daughter Mary Ann Frishman and her husband Benjamin A. Frishman and their two children: Daniel Thornhill Frishman and Mary Alexandra Frishman.

The family is most grateful for the care and friendship of Charles Velez, and of Shelly Baker and Abby Coleman with Hospice Austin.

Honorary Pallbearers are: J. Sage Burrows of Houston, Charles Christensen, Dr. Peter T. Flawn, Warren S. Freund Jr., Luken Gilliland of San Antonio, George S. Heyer Jr., Sam O. Kimberlin, William C. Milstead, Dr. Francis A. Morris Jr., Dr. Theo S. Painter Jr., Dr. C. Dale Parker, Dr. Walter E. Reifslager Jr., Richard W. Reynolds, Roy M. Talley, Jack Rice Turner of Port Aransas, Dr. John P. Schneider, Harry M. Whittington, Dr. George Willeford Jr., and J. Sam Winters.

A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at three o’clock on Thursday, May 12th.

For those desiring, the family requests memorials be made to the Austin Community Foundation, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd’s Endowment Fund or a charity of your choice.