Stephen Kent Thornton

Stephen Kent Thornton, 72 of Grant, Idaho, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

Stephen was born August 28, 1948 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Joseph Mont Thornton and Wanda Ahlstrom Thornton.  He was raised in Grant and attended Lewisville Elementary, Midway Jr. High and graduated from Rigby High School.  During his school years, Stephen ran track and played football.  Stephen was called and served for 2 years in the British Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He continued his education at Idaho State University.  On October 11, 1969 he married Ann King in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple; they made their home in Grant and were blessed with 9 children. He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He was very creative at repurposing items so his family could enjoy them in new fun ways; one being a parachute wind tunnel.

Stephen was a man of integrity and took pride in his work. Together with his brother Jim, he owned and operated Thornton Painting. He worked as a car salesman, sold pianos door-to-door, and worked for Mass Mutual as an insurance salesman.  At the time of his death, he was a salesman for Sunrise Environmental Scientific.

As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stephen enjoyed serving in many capacities; he served as Elders Quorum President, in the Young Men’s Organization, on the High Council in the Menan Stake and at BYU-Idaho, and was a Gospel Doctrine Teacher.   He especially enjoyed serving with his wife Ann in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temples.  He enjoyed woodworking, sports, reading and making memories with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Ann K. Thornton of Grant, Idaho; daughters, Kolae (Carl) Perkins of Brigham City, Utah, Annette (Blake) Thompson of Saratoga Springs, Utah, Angela Thornton of Grant, Idaho, Michelle (Mitch) Edgar of Eagle Mountain, Utah; sons, Orson (Deveri) Thornton of Kaysville, Utah, Jason (Heather) Thornton of Rigby, Idaho, Jared (Aletia) Thornton of Rigby, Idaho; sisters, Mae (Richard) Pattee of Provo, Utah, Renae (George) Danklefsen of Ammon, Idaho; brother, Burt Thornton of Ammon, Idaho; 31 grandchildren, and 3, soon to be 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Bill, Ray and Jim Thornton; an infant daughter Rebecca Ann and an infant son, Andrew.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Grant 2 ^nd Ward Chapel.  The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at Eckersell Funeral Home and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services Thursday at the church. Interment will follow in the Grant Central Cemetery.  Services are under the care of Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho.