HUTCHINSON—LeRoy Charles Thornburg, 86, passed away Dec. 14, 2019. He was born Aug. 9, 1933, in Bloomington, the son of Lyal F. and Mary E. (Wilkenson) Thornburg.
LeRoy graduated from Osborne High School in 1951 and from Fort Hays State University in 1955. He served in the United States Army from 1956-1958. LeRoy taught high school math and science for eight years in Canton, Stockton and Minneapolis before becoming a chemist for Northern Gas Products/Enron for 28 years.
LeRoy enjoyed yardwork and growing flowers, but most of all he loved playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of Crossroads Christian Church.
On April 26, 1958, LeRoy married Helen V. Brown in Atlanta, Ga. They shared 61 years of marriage. She survives.
Also surviving are children, Cheryl Sifuentez (Dario), Newton, Craig Thornburg (Lisa), Rossville, and Jeff Thornburg (Linda), Hutchinson; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; brother, Dick Thornburg (Dee), Broken Arrow, Okla.; sisters, Shirley Swander, Salina, Donna Crawford (Dan), Mannford, Oklah.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Eugene and Ted.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Elliott Chapel in Hutchinson with Pastors Steve Hodgson and Wayne Pittman officiating. Cremation will follow. Private family inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
