Richard Thornell

1966~2014

Richard Frederick Thornell, husband, father, son, brother and good friend, passed away July 21, 2014 in his home from complications of multiple myeloma. Richard fought valiantly for almost five years before succumbing to cancer.

He was born in Bountiful, Utah to David Valentine Thornell and Sally Leimomi Gull. He graduated from Bountiful High School in 1985 and was called to the Philippines Baguio Mission. While there, he was reassigned and opened the Philippines Quezon City Mission. He served as a branch president, district leader, zone leader and assistant to the president. His mission was a delight for him; he loved the Filipino people, their culture, and most especially, the food.

When he returned to Utah, he met Maria Luisa Lumacad, Malou, and married her on June 14, 1989 in the Salt Lake Temple. He graduated in Psychology from the University of Utah, but after seeing the vast majority of jobs that a degree in Psychology could get him, he started working as a computer programmer. He soon had three children under his wing – Mikhael Richard, the geekling, Marissa Amalia, the beauty, and Matthew David, the tank.

Richard loved playing jokes and games throughout his life. He is famous, or perhaps his family considered him infamous, for his April 1st pranks, his homemade Spook Alleys and various incendiary experiments he tried. Although he would receive comments that absolute strangers would think he had a scowl on his face, he was truly kind-hearted and funny, often described by co-workers, friends, teachers and family members as a “sweet guy”.

He is survived by his father and mother, his stepmother Linda Thornell, his stepfather, Roy Vandermolen, sisters and brothers – Bonnie (Reid) Germer, Marie (Doug Parton), Kit (Robyn), Robyn Dellamura, Jill (John) Miller, Jeff (Cheriann), Colin (Helen), Chris Schoolfield, Jennifer Thornell, Sarah (Brett) South, Elizabeth (Bryan) Christensen, and Ann Marie Randall.

He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Stacey, whom we are sure greeted him when he passed from this life.

After many an interview, much prayer, and lots of evaluation, Richard was able to see his only daughter marry in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in 2013 to Caleb Bracken, a wonderful son-in-law and good friend.

He was thrilled with his son Mikhael’s mission to Carlsbad, California (2010-2012) and his nephew Andrew’s call to the Philippines Baguio Mission (2014-). He was proud of two other nephews and a niece who have served missions, as well as a niece and nephew who are still currently serving their missions.

Richard was grateful to see his son Matthew play on championship football teams and take home several awards in the Granite District Track Meet this past spring. He was an active and vocal supporter of his son’s teams, the Utah Utes, and the Utah Jazz. He loved all the random trips to the shooting range with his kids, riding his motorcycles, tinkering with the latest technology, and all the Friday night dates with Malou.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 26 at noon in the Kearns Western Hills Stake Center, 5380 West 5400 South, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 25th from 6-8 PM at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, Salt Lake City, and immediately prior to the funeral services at the church on Saturday.