Tommy D. Thorne

Tommy D. Thorne, 76, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at his home of natural causes.

Born in Paragould, Tommy moved to Jonesboro at an early age and lived much of his life here. He was a 1954 graduate of Jonesboro High School where he was a member of the 1954 State Championship basketball team.

Tommy was an insurance agent most of his adult life and specialized in commercial insurance sales. Tommy was a member of First Baptist Church and a U.S. Army veteran. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Sage Meadows Country Club and the “Brookland Mafia” where he was known as “Godfather.”

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents: Tom and Ethel Brewer Thorne and by a grandson, Hunter Thorne.

Survivors include his wife, Nina Thorne of the home;

1 son, David (Janie) Thorne of Jonesboro;

2 daughters, Tamasa Thorne Russell of Jonesboro and Cassie (Bryson) Neely of Batesville;

2 sisters, Anna Adkins (Robert) and Deloris White all of Jonesboro;

5 grandchildren, Taylor Thorne of Nashville, Tennessee, Summer Russell of Jonesboro, and Whitney Taylor, Addison Neely and Cabry Neely all of Batesville; and
his best canine friend, “Buddy” who was his constant companion and sleeping partner.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bruce Tippit and Kathy Holler officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Log Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday from 12 noon until service time at Emerson Funeral Home. Keeping with Tommy’s humor and instructions, casual attire only will be permitted; no neckties allowed; if anyone shows up in ties, they will be turned away at the door.

Active pallbearers include Rex Turner, Dan White, Jim McCain, Lomer Turney, Dewayne Daniels and Mike Mitchell.

Honorary pallbearers include Lomer Gene Turney, Jerry Williams, Jerry Haynes, Phil Reginelli, Skip Highfill, Dan Pierce, Larry Taylor, Ramin Moshiri, Elwood Massey, John Craft, Gary Holland and staff members of Sage Meadows Country Club and Pro Shop.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, First Baptist Church Building Fund, 701 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR 72401, or the charity of the donor’s choice.