David Thornton, 74 years young, passed away peacefully on the evening of December 15, 2025, surrounded by the love that defined his life. Born on January 27, 1951 in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up fishing, crabbing, surfing, and playing sports, he was a real Florida boy to his core.  He lived in Jacksonville most of his life with the exception of the time he spent in Washington State and for the last nine years when he moved to Stuart, FL.

He was a hardworking man his entire life. In Washington he devoted many years to the railroad, a career he took immense pride in, working his way up through determination and grit. After returning to Florida, he obtained his journeyman license in air conditioning and refrigeration and worked in that industry until he retired. He could fix just about anything, and if he didn't already know how, he figured it out. While his children were young he often worked two jobs, doing whatever it took to make sure his family was always taken care of. That was his priority. Always.

Family was his foundation. He was a devoted father and is survived by his children, including his son Clarence Thornton and his daughter Hillary Wylie, as well as his beloved grandchildren Dawson, Connor, Kiera, and Emma who were the light of his life. Beyond his own family, he was a surrogate dad and "Papa" to countless friends of his children and grandchildren. If you were around long enough, you were family. He welcomed everyone in, looked out for them, and treated them like his own.

A lifelong sports fan, he especially loved the Florida Gators and the Atlanta Braves. He could often be found watching a game or golf match on TV.

He loved to sit and talk, laugh, and play games—especially UNO. Family legend says he cheated at Monopoly, though it later became clear it was simply a strategy he perfected. He would have enjoyed knowing that story will live on.

Above all else, he will be remembered as a good man, a fixer of all things—who worked hard, loved deeply, always showed up, provided faithfully, and made room at the table for anyone who needed a dad or a Papa.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

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