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Dr. Harlan Gearry Thornton

January 12, 1938 - April 23, 2009
Service
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home-Big Spring
Tuesday 4/28, 1:00 pm
Rosary-Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel
Sunday 4/26, 6:00 pm
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705

Harlan Gearry Thornton passed peacefully at his home Thursday April 23, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Lynn Robertson Chaplain of Compass Hospice officiating, assisting will be Dr. Cheri Sparks. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 PM to 4 PM and Monday from 7 PM to 9 PM at the funeral home. Harlan was a lifelong resident of Big Spring born on January 12, 1938 to Gearry and Dovie Mae Thornton. Harlan was a 1956 graduate of Big Spring High School and later graduated from Howard College in 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from the University of Texas and then went on to achieve a Doctorate in Education from Texas Tech University. Dr. Thornton devoted many years sharing his knowledge and energies challenging students to higher levels of opportunity in Farmington, New Mexico; Houlton, Maine and Big Spring, Texas. Harlan was a Christian and an active member of the Gurdjieff Religious Society. He led and participated in weekly online meetings with others around the country. Dr. Thornton was a Professor at Howard College from 1963 until his retirement on July 30, 2001. During this time he served as Professor of General Studies, Music, Developmental English and Foreign Language. Dr. Thornton mentored and encouraged many individuals in both his professional and private life and he will be greatly missed. Dr. Thornton is preceded in death by his parents, Gearry and Dovie Mae Thornton, two sisters, Wilma Dean Thornton and Dixie Pauline Burcham. He is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Saundra and Gary Powers of Cecilia, KY. Three nephews, Michael Burcham of Big Spring,TX, Rick Powers of Cecilia, KY, Dale Powers of Elizabethtown, KY and one niece, Cheryl Burcham of Austin, TX. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Compass Home Hospice Staff, Dr. Cezary Kuprianowicz and Staff, and to two very special cousins Nell Thornton and Theda Perez for the many meals and tender loving care. The family suggests memorials be made to Howard College, 1001 Birdwell LN, Big Spring, Texas 79720. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.nnpwelch.com,

Service
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home-Big Spring
Tuesday 4/28, 1:00 pm
Rosary-Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel
Sunday 4/26, 6:00 pm
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Map

Harlan Gearry Thornton passed peacefully at his home Thursday April 23, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Lynn Robertson Chaplain of Compass Hospice officiating, assisting will be Dr. Cheri Sparks. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park. The familyContinue Reading

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John Miller left a message on April 30, 2009:
Harlan was a great teacher who instilled in his students a conrinuous search for the spiritual side of life. He will be missed but his teachings will be oassed on to others.
Mary D. Wright left a message on April 27, 2009:
A candle was lit by Mary D. Wright on 2009/04/27
Brenda Olds left a message on April 27, 2009:
A candle was lit by Brenda Olds on 2009/04/27
Hilary Sherred Bobker left a message on April 26, 2009:
Harlan was packed and ready for this journey. It is we who are left behind that will miss him beyond measure. He leaves a spiritual hole in our lives. Our love and sympathy go out not only to his family, but to all whose life he touch in such meaningful ways. With deepest affection we remain, Robert Wallin and Hilary Sherred Bobker
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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