Mack Thomas Thornton, 88, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in Palatka, FL.  He was a resident of both Crescent City, FL and Clanton, AL. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he was the son of Jason Mack and Mabel Lucille (Coffey) Thornton, born on March 29, 1932. On June 14th, 1954 Mack married his sweetheart, Etha Dawn Orris in Jackson County, Missouri. During his life, Mack served in both the U.S. Army and U.S Marine Corps retiring Sergeant First Class after 20 twenty years of service (three tours of duty, Vietnam - two and Korea - one). After his military service, he eventually settled with his family in Welaka.

Mack had many careers including a successful "Thornton's Septic Tank Service'' that he owned and operated with the assistance of his sons. His hobbies were countless, but he was an artist at his core. Over the years, Mack was a painter and woodworker, but his greatest passions were silver-smithing and gem cutting. He shared his jewelry-making love with his wife, a jewelry wire wrapper. The couple traveled all over the southeast teaching and hosting shows and festivals. Mack was an instructor and student at the William-Holland School of Lapidary Arts in Young Harris, GA. He was also a member of the Tomoka Gem and Mineral Society of Daytona Beach. Mack was a charter member of the Moose Lodge in Crescent City where he and his wife were both active participating members for decades, including their bowling league.

His legacy is left on a wall in the lodge, consisting of a large oil mural of moose grazing in front of mountains that took him three months to paint. Mack spent most of the remainder of his sunset years at the Moose Lodge Campground in Crescent City, surrounded by friends, competing in shuffleboard and socializing.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by his son, Mark Thornton; daughters, Kim Thornton and Teresa Brown; brother, Perry Thornton; grandson, James Varnadoe.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two sons, Bill (Cheri) Thornton, Tennessee; Kelly (Kim) Thornton, Alabama; sister, Marynella Kinnard, Pensacola; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his Jack Russell Terrier, his road warrior and best friend, Buddy.

In honor of Mack's wishes, a private family memorial service was held in Welaka to spread his cremains.