On March 22, 2022, our beloved Larry passed away at home in Kailua Hawaii. He was the most kind-hearted loving husband; son, brother and uncle, always putting himself second to others. He was 71.The son of the late Justine (Ina) Thornton/Glinsky and F.M. (Bill) Thornton, he was born on October 30, 1950 in Rock Camp, West Virginia, a small coal community in Monroe County, WV.
Larry attended school in Princeton WV through his junior year in High School, before moving to Washington State.
Larry joined the United States Marine Corp in 1969, and proudly served until 1989, retiring as Master Sergeant from the USMC in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
From 1990 to 2020, Larry was the Caretaker Foreman at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Known as "The Punchbowl", it is the resting-place for over 53,000 veterans (and eligible family members) on 116 acres. Larry's ashes will be interred at "The Punchbowl", a place he loved dearly and where he gave his upmost attention to detail for 30 years.
Larry was a Master Diver, earning his certification while stationed in Okinawa Japan in 1987, participating in Advanced Open Water and Cave Dive Rescues. He was a voracious reader and also loved to watch cooking shows. His other hobby included collecting and fixing up hotrods. His latest, was a cherry red 1969 El Camino, which he did not get a chance to complete. He was working on his pilot's license, and was also hoping for a cross-country motorcycle adventure on his Harley. If you take anything from this, Larry is telling you not to put off your plans to live life, as his ended too soon to make all of his retirement dreams come true.
Larry's survivors include his loving wife, Barbara Thornton of 50 years; sisters Lita Thorne (Bruce) and Loreli Rankin (Bob), as well as three nieces and five nephews, a great-niece and two great-nephews.
Larry will be laid to rest with full Military Honors, on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 11:30am, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A ceremony will take place up on the hill and his burial will follow immediately. Larry requested Aloha attire.
Semper Fi, Rest in Peace Larry. Memorial contributions may be made in Larry's name to: The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or Hillsdale College (517) 607-2727. For online condolences to the family, please visit Nuuanu Memorial at www.nmpmortuary.com.
Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
