Russell Lee Thornton

Russell Lee Thornton was born in Lakeview, Oregon on December 14, 1957, to Skip and Doris Thornton. He passed away on March 1, 2024, at the Lake District Hospital from diabetic complications.

Russ was a lifelong resident of Lake County and graduated from LHS in 1976. He continued his education at OIT and OSU prior to moving back to Lakeview to help run Thornton’s Rexall Drug.

Russ was happiest spending time with his family; he loved being a dad and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, camping and hunting on the family ranch, and was a talented carpenter and woodworker. The latter half of his career he owned his own Handyman Service in Lakeview, perpetuating the saying “love what you do, and you won’t work a day in your life.”  He was the ultimate jokester, loving nothing more than keeping everyone laughing.

He is survived by Debi Thornton, Daughter Jessica Kranda and husband Eric, Son Sean Thornton and wife Kellie, Mother Doris Thornton, Brother Rob Thornton, Sister Kit Thornton, and numerous nieces and nephews. He had three grandchildren; Finley Kranda, Tessa Thornton and Hayes Kranda, who knew him as Pop-pop.  In addition to his human family, he had three dogs that he loved like his own children.

Russ was preceded in death by his father, Leland (Skip) Thornton

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