David Richard Thornton

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  • David Richard Thornton
    David Richard Thornton
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David Richard Thornton, 87, of Austin, Texas, completed his life’s work on May 31, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Richard’s father, Sebern J. Thornton, and mother, Alice L Jackson Thornton, advised him early on that “a job worth doing is worth doing well.” Richard did his work well, and it is now done.

He was the third of four sons and was born in San Saba County, Texas on October 7, 1933. He graduated from San Saba High School and Texas Tech University.

Richard did graduate work at Texas A&M University, where he was employed as Superintendent of Grounds from 1960-1967. He left Texas A&M to work with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department until his retirement in September 1995.

Richard was heavily involved in the redevelopment and expansion of the Texas park systems, state fisheries and wildlife conservation systems. His pride and joy were his restoration projects of five Texas historical pioneer forts, including Fort Richardson, Fort Griffin, Fort McKavett, Fort Lancaster and Fort Leaton.

On August 3, 1951, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Leota Mae West. They were blessed with three sons, Walter Raigen, James Richard, John Leeland, and one daughter, Jauana Kay; all of whom supported his life’s work.

Richard spent his retirement with his family at the Lucky T Ranch headquarters in Austin, Texas. His favorite pastimes included camping, hunting, fishing, raising cattle with his sons and grandchildren, watching college football, the Cowboys and restoring his beloved FARMALL tractor.

Richard and Leota’s life has been greatly blessed by our daughters-in-law: Patricia ‘Stormy’ Thornton, Jodie Thornton, Kathy Kaufman, Angie Guajardo, and Tracey Templeman Thornton; and by grandchildren: Wesley Dean; Spring Gale and her wife, Tiffany; Micah David and his wife, Margie; Sarah Elizabeth; Alice May and her husband, Andy; Janie Rose; Nichole Elizabeth and her wife, Shea; Jeremy Avril and his wife, Shelly; Maverick Leeland and his wife, Katie; and Elizabeth Ellen; and by great-grandchildren: Olivia Danielle, Lilly Marie, Micah David Jr., Emilia May, Wyatt Quigley, Emmett Quigley, Daniel James, Emma Lynn, Anna Jean, and Autumn Lynn.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Sebern J. and Alice L. Jackson Thornton; brothers: James ‘Jimmy’ N., Sebern Edward and Johnnie ‘Cotton’ Thornton; son, James Richard Thornton; grandson, Wesley Dean Thornton; sisters-in-law: Lee Ellen West Coburn, Luene West, Jeannean Thornton, and Sarah Kate Wilder Thornton; daughter-in-law, Tracey Templeman Thornton; and Leota’s beloved parents, Temple H. and Lena Mae Walton West.

A graveside service was held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at High Valley Cemetery in Bend, Texas, with Pastor Michael Wright officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or High Valley Cemetery Association, PO Box 163, Bend, TX 76824.