John Wayne Thornton, 78, a longtime resident of Orange County passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Oaks at Mayview in Raleigh.

Born May 8, 1940 in Harnett County, he was the son of the late Eugene Thornton and Mary Lucille Adams Thornton.  He was of the Baptist faith and served as a Captain in the United States Army.  John owned and operated Tri City Decorators for many years and was a butcher.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in the Eakes Funeral Home Chapel in Creedmoor by Rev. Harold Thornton and his nephew, Hal Thornton, Jr.  Burial will be in Carolina Memorial Gardens.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-nine years, Sandra Webster Thornton of the home; daughters, Caroline Webster Hyde of Rougemont, Sabrina Bostic of Creedmoor, sons, Neal Washington of Carrboro, John Robert Thornton; brothers, Hal Thornton of Chatham, Virginia, Donnie Thornton of Winston-Salem; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Washington and sisters, Lorena, Margie and Mary.

Visitation will be held Wednesday June 27, 2018 from 11:00 – 12:45 at Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor prior to the service and at other times at the home.