Richard "Mike" Thornton, 74, of Charleston, entered into eternal rest on January 27, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Born on March 22, 1947 in Fayetteville, NC, Mike was a son of the late Kenneth W. Thornton Sr. and Betty Jean Kunkle Thornton.
Mike was a 1965 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where he studied architecture. Between high school and college, Mike spent two years in the US Army. Mike enjoyed volunteering and being of service throughout his life. He enjoyed coaching youth sports when his children were young. Mike was a past Governor of The Optimist Club, "Friend of Youths." Mike was also a past President of the North-South High School All-Star Football Game. Mike loved his family, The University of South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Atlanta Braves. Mike had a joke for every occasion and never "met a stranger" - he would strike up a conversation in every situation.
Mike is survived by a daughter, Shelley (Shannon Griffin), Aiken, SC; a son, Austin Thornton (Allyson), Charleston, SC; a granddaughter, Lexi Mainville (Chase), Charleston, SC; a grandson, Cole, Charleston, SC; a brother, Doug, of Myrtle Beach, SC; nieces and nephews, Chace Thornton, Myrtle Beach, SC, Lauren Thornton, Myrtle Beach, SC, Blake Thornton (Michelle), Mt. Pleasant, SC, Clay Thornton, Mt. Pleasant, SC, nieces Olivia Charney (Felix), Fairfield, CT; Katie Thornton, Mt. Pleasant, SC; stepchildren, Sean Hamilton (Tiffany), Conway, SC, Tessa Hamilton, Myrtle Beach, SC, Rod Hamilton, Myrtle Beach, SC and Drew Weston (Sharon), Mt. Pleasant, SC.
A celebration of Mike's life is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm at McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION James Island, 347 Folly Rd., Charleston, SC 29412, (843) 614-8494.
The family will receive friends at the home of Austin and Allyson Thornton, 902 Regatta Road, Charleston, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mike`s memory may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield VA, 22116-7023.