Dale Leon Thornton

Dale Leon Thornton - 1938 ~ 2024

Dale L. Thornton peacefully passed away April 29, 2024, with his beloved wife Jacqueline by his side as he stepped through the veil.

He was born on December 27, 1938, to Loyal S. and Helen S. Thornton in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was the oldest of four children. They moved a lot in his childhood years: Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Arizona.

Dale attended Bob Jones University during his junior year of high school. He graduated from Prescott High in Arizona in 1958. He enlisted in the Army Reserves and served honorably until 1968.

He moved to Southern California in 1959. He attended Pasadena City College receiving an Associate Degree in Machining. He worked for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory / NASA in Pasadena, California for 43 years working on many projects: Viking Mission 1976, Voyager Space Craft 1 and 2 1981, Galileo Orbiter 1991, Hubble Space Telescope 1994, Sojourner Mars Rover 1997, Spirit and Opportunity Rovers 2003. He retired in 2003.

Dale married Linda in 1964, had three wonderful sons, Ivan D., Eric W., and Scott L. who he loved deeply. He was forever proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Dale and Linda had a good life but divorced in 1996.

Dale married Jacqueline on November 16, 2002, in Temecula, California. They moved to Pleasant View, Utah, in June 2005 to live happily ever after – and they succeeded in doing just that!

Dale and Jacque joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in September 2012. They were sealed for time and all eternity on November 16, 2013. Dale served in several callings, most notably a Service Mission with Jaque for seven years in the LDS Employment Center, where they made many friends.

Dale is survived by his wife, Jacque; two sons, Eric (Jeannine) and Scott; two grandchildren, Andrew and Natalie; sister, Dixie (Earl); brothers, Alan (Linda) and Robert (Karen); in-laws, Craig (Connie), Valerie (Greg) and Dennis (Illeana); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Ivan in 2021, and his parents.  

He had a kind heart, a contagious smile, and a twinkle in his eye! He had a spring in his step and was always quick to open doors. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. He could fix anything, and did so for anyone who asked, any time. He and Jacque loved unconditionally, never judging, and they both loved serving others. He loved working in his beautiful yard and was especially proud of his apple and persimmon trees! He loved Jacque more than life and they were a shining example of what a loving marriage should be. Dale loved life and lived it to the fullest. His presence will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden, where military honors will be accorded.