John Preston Thornhill, 83, of Tifton passed away Friday, April 16, 2004, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Eddie Allen officiating. Mr. Thornhill was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Wesley Thornhill, Preston Thornhill, Brian Sumner, Bill Fletcher, Butch Coarsey and Heck Dodson served as pallbearers.
Born February 18, 1921, in Tift County, Mr. Thornhill was the son of the late Gilbert Thornhill and Ruth Davis Thornhill. He was the grandson of the late John Thomas Davis and Clara Hollis Davis, who came to Tifton in 1905. He was also preceded in death by one brother, E. G. Thornhill; and one sister, Lois Thornhill.
Educated in Tifton public schools, Mr. Thornhill attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945, stationed mainly in the Central Pacific.
A retired vegetable plant grower, he previously held at position on the National Plant Board for six years. Additionally, he was a director of both the Farmers Bank of Tifton and Tifton Federal Savings and Loan for 18 years. He also served on the Tift County Board of Education.
With a boyish grin, John was a fiery, independent individual who spoke his mind.
Mr. Thornhill is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Kay and Ronnie Sumner of Tifton and Anna Ruth Thornhill of Marietta; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Ted and Lynn Doss Thornhill and Roger Thornhill, all of Tifton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Brian and Susan Sumner, Celeste Sumner, Wesley Thornhill, Preston Thornhill, Trevor Thornhill and Madison Thornhill; and two great-grandchildren, Savannah Sumner and Kice Sumner.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, 618 Central Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794.