July 20, 1920 ~ December 15, 2008

Phillip Gordon Thornton, 88, of American Fork passed away Monday, December 15, 2008 at his home.  He was born July 20, 1920 in Provo to Lloyd Phillips and Madeline Wilkins Thornton. He was the first of three children, all sons. He married his childhood sweetheart, Juanita Cook, on January 20, 1941 in the Manti Temple.  Juanita passed away in 1995.  Through his love of dancing, he met and married his second sweetheart, Carolyn Ormond.

Phil grew up in Provo and attended schools, graduating from Provo High School. For 37 years he operated a D-6 bulldozer building roads throughout Utah for both the government and private sector.  He built many roads in southern Utah during the uranium boom of the 50’s as well as many roads in the mountains. To this day we can look up high in the mountains east of Provo and see the terracing he did for the forest service.  He and Juanita raised three sons and six foster Indian children.   He loved hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers. He lived in Provo for 52 years and the following years he lived just out of Gila Bend, Arizona, in the winter months, where he developed 80 acres of land. He has spent the summer months at his cabin in the mountains above Indianola, Utah.  

 He is survived by his wife Carolyn of American Fork; three sons: Max (Janis) Thornton, Mesa, AZ; Duane (Diana) Thornton, Pleasant Grove; Kenneth Thornton, Gila Bend, AZ; Hilda Cooney, AZ; Wanda Siewiyumptewa, AZ; Tyson Siewiyumptewa, CO; Brandon Siewiyumptewa, AZ; Cho-Lee Cooney, NY; Rudi Cooney, AZ; 15 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, a great great-grandson; three step-children and many step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his first wife; two grandchildren: Isaac Thornton and Zachary Thornton; great granddaughter, Colleen Ewin and step-son, Tim Knight. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork Fourth Ward Chapel, 455 East 300 North, American Fork where friends may call for a viewing prior to services from 9:00-10:45 am.  Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hearts for Hospice for their excellent care of Phil over the past several months.

We love you, till we meet again.

Condolences (3)

Subscribe to this guest book's feed

Steve and Vicki Frampton Families said:

We have many fond memories of Phil, he will be missed. Your families have our love and sympathy.

December 18, 2008

Carole Babcock Stansfield said:

Jamie, so sorry to hear about your brother. I heard the news from Bill Walden. Nick was very nice to me, giving me an autographed baseball with all the celebs from Ryne Duren's golf tournament. We had fun when he stayed with me and tried to learn the truck brokering business from Vance Johnson. That was the summer of the All Star Game at Coors Field. Nick enjoyed attending the evets. Some people at the Fan Fest asked him for an autograph. He talked for a while with a former Dodger that was on the stand - talking. I'd love to hear from you.

December 21, 2008

Bryan Orosco said:

Sorry for your loss, I first met Mr. Thorton when I went to Arlington Elementery school. I got to know him and his family through Tyson, Brandon, Rudi, Cho-Lee and Hilda. Blessings to the family.

March 10, 2009