Ronald Thornsley

Ronald Neal Thornsley, 78, died Aug. 9, 2007, at the family home in Butte near Palmer following a six-month battle with cancer. In lieu of services there was a family memorial gathering at the home on Aug. 19. He was a member of the Bodenburg Butte Baptist Church.

Thornsley was born April 14, 1929, in Roscoe Village, Coshocton County, Ohio, to Carl and Marguerite McCoy Thornsley. He married Evelyn Jean Adams on Oct. 3, 1952.

In 1960, the family moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where he was employed by Electrical Products Co. installing electrical advertising signs and billboards. In 1965, he established his own business in Holbrook, Ariz., where he designed, manufactured and installed electrical signs for the Whiting Brothers Oil Co. and many of the businesses along old Route 66 through New Mexico, Arizona and California. The most well-known is the kachina sign at the Pow Wow Trading Post in Holbrook.

Always looking for adventure, he brought his family to Alaska in 1969 on vacation and liked it so well they returned June 7, 1971, to become residents. He pursued many business interests over the years. Before retirement he was employed in RV sales.

Thornsley enjoyed hunting, fishing, gold mining, playing cards, family gatherings and good food.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Jean; children Rick (Cindy) Thornsley, Linda (Bill) Criss, Rand Thornsley, Greg (Shauna) Thornsley, Jay Thornsley, Michael Thornsley, Mark (Michelle) Thornsley; grandchildren Chad and Rion Thornsley, Lori Primc, Shelly Althauser, Calista Barganier, Adam Thornsley, Shannon Guerra, Nathan Thornsley, Andrew Thornsley, Matthew Thornsley and Mariah Thornsley; great-grandchildren, Amanda Catherine and Isabella Thornsley, Cole and Hannah Thornsley, Ryan and Laci Primc, Daylan, Darian, Dante and Calista J. Barganier, Mattie, Ireland and Afton Guerra, Layne Thornsley; and many other extended family members.

Cremation arrangements were with Kehls Mortuary in Palmer.