Carl Ray Thornton

Carl Ray Thornton, 79, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2008 in Dumas, Texas. Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Turner, former minister of music officiating, assisted by Rev. Steve Swanson, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery with flag detail by American Legion Post 224 of Dumas. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Carl was born June 20, 1929 in Childress, Texas to Cantrel Ray and Oddie Mae Thornton. He was a veteran of the US Army serving in the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his first wife in 1981. On July 30, 1982 he married Lavada Langley in Dumas. He was an operator at Shamrock Oil Gas for 40 years before his retirement in 1991. He also was owneroperator of the Red Carpet Laundry for 17 years. Carl loved to hunt and fish. At 8 years old he got his first BB gun and fell into an abandoned well trying to shoot a bird. He always said he met the Lord in a hole in the ground. He was a member of VFW Post 9022 where he was a past commander. He also was a member of American Legion Post 224 and was on the marching team. Carl had been a resident of Dumas since 1953 and was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include; his wife Lavada of the home; son, Gary Langley and wife Debbie; daughter, Donna Livingston and husband, Eddie all of Dumas; brother, Jack Thornton and wife, Shirley of Arvada, Colo; grandchildren, Jackie Langley and wife Lacy, April Hendrick and husband Jeremy, Lori Alexander and husband Jason, Kayla Livingston; 5 great-grandchildren; his aunt, Frances Key of Dumas; two nephews and several cousins. Memorials may be made to Memorial Hospice, 224 E. 2nd, Dumas, TX 79029. The family will be at 500 Bennett in Dumas.