Jack Thornton, 84, of Nederland, died Monday, February 2, 2015, at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Port Arthur. A native and lifelong resident of the area, he was born May 10, 1930, in Port Arthur, to Mercer Evans and Albert Victor Thornton.

Jack was a United States Air Force veteran having served during the Korean War. He retired from Gulf Oil after thirty-five years of service as a supervisor. Jack was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he played drums with Glory Train. He had also played drums with Harry Vaughn and The Belmonts. Jack was the current treasurer, and past president, of Friends of the Nederland Library.

Jack is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Betty Thornton of Nederland; daughters, Cynthia Ann McCoy of Port Neches and Shelley Booker and her husband, Chris, of Groves; grandchildren, Misty, Brandy, Lacy, Kyler, and Emily; and great-grandchildren, Laney, Gage, Kinlee, Aiden, and Sadie. He will be especially missed by his faithful canine companions Maggie and Chloe.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard Thornton.

A gathering of Mr. Thornton’s family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Interment of his cremated body will be held at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Thornton’s memory to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.