James R. Thornton Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Russell Thornton of Chelsea, MI, passed peacefully on June 29th, 2022. He was born on April 26, 1942. Jim was a graduate of East Lansing HS and Michigan State University. He was introduced to his wife, Jane Campbell, through a mutual friend at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, MI and married in 1968. Jane and Jim lived in East Lansing, Saline, Ann Arbor, and Manchester, MI. Jim was a sports car enthusiast who enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories of his track time driving his 1979 Mazda RX-7. He loved watching UofM sports, researching on any number of subjects, and tending to the landscaping in his yard. He was a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. Jim’s intense interest and passion, which he shared with his wife, was a love of animals. Jim and Jane enjoyed the company of many cats and dogs for over 40 years. He leaves behind his sister Becky (Ervin) Mausolf, brother-in-law Philip Campbell, nieces Wendy Mausolf (Sean Flynn), Nicole Mausolf and Lara Campbell (Jay Pacitti), nephew Douglas (Liz) Campbell, and grandnephews Ervin Mausolf and Nathan Campbell. Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife Jane, his parents George and Emma “Jerry” Thornton, and his nephew Erik “Dave” Campbell. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8th, 2022, at 10:00 am at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor or Arbor Hospice.

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James R. Thornton

April 26, 1942 - June 29, 2022