Charles Thornton

Mr. Charles Benford (Chuck) Thornton went home to be with the Lord Thursday, July 27, at Hospice Home in Burlington. He was born in Chilton County, Alabama to the late Horace Benford and Cora Estes Jones Thornton. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maxine Morris Thornton; their son, Clark Bryan Thornton of Nashville; and their daughter, Terri Thornton McIntosh of Atlanta. He is also survived by a special step-brother, Robert (Butch) Scott and wife Susie of Salem, Ala.; a brother, Donald E. Thornton of Maplesville, Ala.; step-sister Patricia Miller of Jacksonville, Fla.; half-sisters Linda Whitten of Montgomery, Ala., and Wanda Locke and husband Harrell of Orlando, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chuck became a Christian at age 16 and has been active at First Baptist Church and Holly Hill Baptist Church in Burlington as a deacon, teacher, and a participant in many local ministries.
After serving 3 years in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War, he earned a degree in civil engineering at NC State in 1957. He was employed for almost 30 years at Western Electric/AT&T. During that time he obtained an MSBA degree at UNCG, including completing classwork at Princeton and Georgetown Universities. He traveled extensively in the US, the Far East, and Europe, rising to the level of assistant manager in Military Defense Projects.
After retiring in 1986, he obtained a contractor's license and worked for several years with Habitat for Humanity. He assisted Loaves & Fishes during some of its growth activities and, more recently, worked with Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell to make its annual "Super Flea" flea market fundraiser a success.
He is an avid backpacker, having covered more than 1800 miles of the Appalachian Trial over a period of about 30 years with his good buddy, Jim Cook. He also enjoyed tennis, bowling, gardening, travel, and history.
A service will be conducted at Holly Hill Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Monday, July 31, led by Dr. Dale Steele and Pastor Gene Hunsinger, with internment at the Alamance Memorial Park immediately following. The family will greet friends at the church before the service beginning at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell; the Appalachian Trail Conservancy; or to a charity of your choice.

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