Mr. Hazel Thornton

THORNTON, Mr. Hazel - Age 88, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, G-4805 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr., officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Wednesday. Mr. Thornton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 noon-8 p.m. Tuesday with family present from 5-8 p.m. Mr. Hazel Thornton was born November 24, 1924 in Catron, Missouri from the union of Jerry Thornton and Rachel (Blackman) Thornton who both preceded him in death. Mr. Thornton went to high school in Libourn, Missouri and upon leaving high school in 1942 he entered the United States Navy; after diligently serving in the military he was Honorably Discharged and upon coming home he married Ruth Gouns in 1949. He moved to South Bend, Indiana, finally working his way to Flint, Michigan, where he was hired into General Motors, retiring in 1990 and was a member of UAW Local 599. Mr. Thornton was a loyal, faithful member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for many years. He loved to fish as well as watching his favorite sports shows on TV. Mr. Thornton also enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and family, and going out to eat. He was an energetic man with strong convictions and loved his Cadillac. Mr. Hazel Thornton leaves behined to mourn his memory: 3 daughters, Ethel Louise (Nate) Bruce, Elizabeth Robinson and Annette Norman (Wendell); 2 sons, Kennon Dewayne Coffey and Starl'ing Etherly, all of Flint; 3 step children, Pat (Miles) Fordham, Jerry Coffey, both of Flint and Roderick (Gwen) Coffey, Sr., of Alabama; 13 grandchildren, Yvonna (Jeff) Wheeler, Terri Gilmore, Laura (Alton) Knight, Elizabeth LaCour, Thurmon and Hermon Robinson, Felilshia Garrett, all of Flint, Justin Robinson of Columbus, OH, Tabetha Coffey of Flint, Shelissa Coffey, Roderick Coffey Jr., Dereck Coffey, all of Alabama, Jerry Coffey Jr., Ivan (Gi-Gi) Norman of Beaumont, CA; 19 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jerry Taylor; sister-in-law, Clara Thornton, both of St. Louis, MO. Mr. Thornton was preceded in death by wife, Ruth Thornton; grandson, Miles Coffey; great-grandson, Aaron LaCouor; parents, Jerry and Rachel (Blackman) Thornton; 4 brothers, A.J., James, Thurmon and Clinton Thornton; and 2 sisters, Annette and Martha Bell. The family of Hazel Thornton would like to express special thanks to the staff of Hurley Medical Center, Avalon Hospice and everyone who has been there with their love and support either in person, phone calls and/or in prayer.

Mr. Hazel Thornton

November 29, 1924 - January 8, 2013