Harry Fred Thornberry

Harry Fred Thornberry was born in Wichita Falls, TX on February 16, 1919 to Harry Taylor and Lydia Edith Thornberry. He was the grandson of Amos Lancaster Thornberry of Kentucky, who was one of the original pioneers and land grantees to settle Texas after the Civil War. Amos established large oil and orchard holdings in Clay and Wichita Counties. The town of Thornberry was established in Clay County at the site of the family homestead.

Harry attended Hardin Simmons College in 1937 and then transferred to University of Texas at Austin in 1939. At UT, he earned his Law Degree in 1942. He was an avid sports enthusiast and earned a varsity letter in tennis. Harry remained a loyal Longhorn fan, until his death. Hook 'em Horns.

In 1942, like many members of the "Greatest Generation", he enlisted in the Army to serve his county in World War II. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned as junior staff officer at SHAEF, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces. During this time, he witnessed the V-2 bombardment of London and participated in the Normandy Invasion. In May 1945, as a member of General Eisenhower's staff he was assigned the duty of finding a location for the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied Forces. He located and requisitioned a small French schoolhouse where the final act of the long war in Europe took place. Captain Thornberry left the service in 1945 and returned home to Wichita Falls.

As a young lawyer with the Department of Veterans in Washington, DC, he met a young secretary with the War Department, Megnon Lois Willeford of Greenville, TX. Harry and Megnon married on April 30, 1948. They moved to Dallas, TX to begin a new family and to return to their Texas roots. In 1949, their first son was born, Jon Barton Thornberry.

Thornberry returned to active duty with the breakout of the Korean War in 1951. He served as a captain in the CIC, Counter Intelligence Corp and received a Bronze Medal for outstanding service during the Korean War. Harry returned home to his family in Dallas in July 1952. In 1953, the family added a second son, with the birth of Michael Arnold Thornberry.

Thornberry joined the legal department of Reserve Life Insurance in Dallas. In July, 1956 the family was blessed with a third son, Daniel Taylor Thornberry. Over the next 25 years, Harry Thornberry would build an excellent reputation in the legal community. At the time of his retirement in 1981 from Reserve Life, he was Vice President and General Counsel for the company. H also acted as legal consultant for the Sammons Corporation, parent company to Reserve Life. Harry Thornberry was active in the local community and Boy Scouts of America. He leaves behind a large circle of friends who were drawn to him by his compassion, honesty and trust.

"Fred" Thornberry left behind two very dear friends, Clarence Rogers and Frank Rose, both of Arlington, TX. The three of them know as the "Hayes Street Boys" were all born in 1919 and met in 1921. The all remained friends for the next 86 years, remaining in touch, sharing birthdays, holidays, and above all a lifetime friendship.

Harry Fred Thornberry is survived by his three sons, Jon Barton Thornberry of Beirut, Lebanon, Michael Arnold Thornberry of Bastrop, TX and Daniel Taylor Thornberry of San Antonio, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Animal Defense League of San Antonio to honor the love of animals and the many dogs that brought happiness to both of their parents.