Aug. 30, 1944 – February 25, 2026
Funeral services for David Thornton, Sr., 81, of Vian, were held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2026, at The Crossing Church in Gore.
Burial followed at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Vian, under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
Mr. Thornton was born on August 30, 1944, in Susanville, Calif., to Kati Lucile (Montgomery) Thornton and Frank Alexander Thornton, Sr. He passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
He married Gladys Marie (Craghead) Thornton on Dec. 31, 1963, in Sallisaw.
He served as Tenkiller State Park Superintendent for 26 years and was a Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilman for 18 years. He also worked as a consultant for Cherokee Nation Businesses for 12 years.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys; two sons, David Thornton, Jr. and James Thornton, Sr. and wife Angela, all of Vian; his grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Catherine Thornton; and brother, Frank Thornton, Jr.
Pallbearers were Rob Boyd, Chad Ellis, Anthony Bailey, Chris Peoples, Steven Barnes and Dennis Fletcher.
Honorary pallbearers were Danny Carter, Jim McLaughlin, Steve Carter, Roy Simmons, Butch Cowart, Chuck Garrett, Steven Barrick, Bill John Baker, Joe Crittenden, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, and Chief Chuck Hoskins, Jr.
