Gerald Dean Thornton

Gerald Dean Thornton, 78, of Bellefontaine, Ohio passed away at 1:27 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine.

He was born on October 3, 1942, in DeGraff, Ohio a son of the late Emory and Carolyn (Easton) Thornton. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his great grandson, Coltin Jones; a brother, Emerson Thornton and a brother-in-law, Butch Helmandollar.

On December 24, 1961, Jerry married the former Linda Kay Weeks in DeGraff, and she survives along with their two sons, David (Leann) Thornton and Dan (Lisa) Thornton; seven grandchildren, Ashley Thornton, Tiffany Thornton, Danielle (Dave Dickinson) Thornton, Magen Rich, Justin Renfroe, Lauren (Cory) Reese and Bryan (Ashlyn King) Newland; seven great grandchildren, Corbin Jones, Tressa Jones, Jace Dean Jones, Kaylee Dickinson, Marcus Browner, A’mya Thornton and Hudson Reese; a sister, Rita Helmandollar; a brother, Bill (Becky) Thornton and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jerry started working at the DeGraff Sinclair Gas Station at the age of fifteen, worked at Airstream for fifteen years, and later worked construction with Butch Helmandollar. He started working at Honda as a production associate and spent the next twenty six years working as a coordinator, production manager, assistant manager and retired in 2006 as a senior staff engineer. Jerry enjoyed working with all his employees at Honda. During his tenure at Honda, he had the pleasure of living in Japan with his wife working in 1993 and 1994.

Jerry enjoyed owning and attending classic car shows. He won many awards with his multiple classic cars. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling and spending winters at their home in Tavares, Florida.

Jerry always put his family first and loved them immensely. He spent time with his sons as a Boy Scout leader. Jerry was a giving person and made sure his family had everything they needed or wanted. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends in Ohio and in Florida.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in DeGraff.

Pastor Ben Moore will officiate the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2021, at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at the Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff, Ohio.

The staff of the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thornton family.

D.S.