Cecil Celester Thornburg
December 30, 1920 — March 12, 2011
Cecil Celester Thornburg
Funeral services for Cecil Celester Thornburg, 90, of Pawhuska, were held Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at McCartney’s Johnson Funeral Chapel in Pawhuska, OK. Reverend Mark Shelton officiated and burial was in Nelagoney Cemetery in Nelagoney, OK. Casket bearers were Danny Hartness, Jr., Brady Robison, Mart Robison, Clint Johnson, P.J. Mays, and Justin Mays. Honorary casket bearers were Paul Mays, Jr. Jerry Garrett and Hunter Garrett.
Cecil was born December 30, 1920 in Nelagoney, OK to Sam D. and Mary (Arnce) Thornburg. He passed away March 12, 2011 at his home in Pawhuska, OK.
Cecil attended Nelagoney schools and farmed until he was inducted into the Army in 1941. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines until 1945 when he was honorably discharged. During his tour of duty in WWII, Cecil was a recipient of the Liberation of the Philippines Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Marksmanship Medal and the Bronze Star. After being discharged from the Army, he worked for Harry and Ella Mae Potter in Sand Springs on their farm. Later, he opened a mechanic shop in Pawhuska and then began working for Osage County as a mechanic until his retirement in 1982. On March 15, 1975, he married Lorene Tomey.
He was always eager to help with anything and everything. Being the mechanic that he was, he kept everyone's cars, mowers, 4-wheelers and motorcycles in top shape. When it was time to hay, he was right there in the hayfield ready to work. Fishing was Cecil's favorite past-time. He was never too busy to lay down his pole and help the kids bait a hook. Cecil and Lorene traveled every year to Padre Island to fish with his brother-in-law, the late JD Duncan, and his sister-in-law, Helen Duncan.
Cecil and Lorene lived south of Pawhuska at the Evergreen Station after moving to Pawhuska in 2006. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Barnsdall and Victory Baptist Church in Pershing where he was baptized in October 1998.
Cecil was a wonderful grandfather and took great pride in his grandchildren. He taught us all the importance of being proud of your country.
During Cecil's last months, he received loving care from his granddaughter, Tara Robison and Carrie Simpson. The family would like to express their appreciation for the tireless hours and dedication that was given to him.
He is survived by his wife Lorene Thornburg of the home; daughters, Vivian “Vicki” Wallace and Sheila Jones, both of Cleveland, OK; sons, Cecil Randy Thornburg and David Thornburg, both of Pawhuska, OK; step-children, JoAnne Robison of Ponca City, OK, Shirley Hartness of Wichita, KS, Nick Tomey, Jr., Donna Tucker, and Marcella Mays, all of Pawhuska; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Ella Mae Potter of Sulphur, LA and Mary Switzer of Dodge City, KS; brothers, Herb Thornburg of CA and Billy Ray Thornburg of AR; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Michael Paul; parents, Sam and Mary Thornburg; and brothers, Sam, Marion and Rob Thornburg.
Cecil was born December 30, 1920 in Nelagoney, OK to Sam D. and Mary (Arnce) Thornburg. He passed away March 12, 2011 at his home in Pawhuska, OK.
Cecil attended Nelagoney schools and farmed until he was inducted into the Army in 1941. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines until 1945 when he was honorably discharged. During his tour of duty in WWII, Cecil was a recipient of the Liberation of the Philippines Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Marksmanship Medal and the Bronze Star. After being discharged from the Army, he worked for Harry and Ella Mae Potter in Sand Springs on their farm. Later, he opened a mechanic shop in Pawhuska and then began working for Osage County as a mechanic until his retirement in 1982. On March 15, 1975, he married Lorene Tomey.
He was always eager to help with anything and everything. Being the mechanic that he was, he kept everyone's cars, mowers, 4-wheelers and motorcycles in top shape. When it was time to hay, he was right there in the hayfield ready to work. Fishing was Cecil's favorite past-time. He was never too busy to lay down his pole and help the kids bait a hook. Cecil and Lorene traveled every year to Padre Island to fish with his brother-in-law, the late JD Duncan, and his sister-in-law, Helen Duncan.
Cecil and Lorene lived south of Pawhuska at the Evergreen Station after moving to Pawhuska in 2006. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Barnsdall and Victory Baptist Church in Pershing where he was baptized in October 1998.
Cecil was a wonderful grandfather and took great pride in his grandchildren. He taught us all the importance of being proud of your country.
During Cecil's last months, he received loving care from his granddaughter, Tara Robison and Carrie Simpson. The family would like to express their appreciation for the tireless hours and dedication that was given to him.
He is survived by his wife Lorene Thornburg of the home; daughters, Vivian “Vicki” Wallace and Sheila Jones, both of Cleveland, OK; sons, Cecil Randy Thornburg and David Thornburg, both of Pawhuska, OK; step-children, JoAnne Robison of Ponca City, OK, Shirley Hartness of Wichita, KS, Nick Tomey, Jr., Donna Tucker, and Marcella Mays, all of Pawhuska; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Ella Mae Potter of Sulphur, LA and Mary Switzer of Dodge City, KS; brothers, Herb Thornburg of CA and Billy Ray Thornburg of AR; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Michael Paul; parents, Sam and Mary Thornburg; and brothers, Sam, Marion and Rob Thornburg.
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