Jacob Thornburg

Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 14, 2007

Services for Jacob Charles “J.C.” Thornburg, 74, of Lake Concordia, La., who died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be 2 p.m. today at St. Mary Basilica with Father David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation wil be today from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.

Mr. Thornburg was born July 23, 1932, in Rayville, La., the son of Willie Frank and Cora Mae Mingee Thornburg. He entered active military service on Jan. 16, 1951 and was a member of the 27th infantry regiment. Among his many honors were the Purple Heart for wounds received in Korea on Nov. 22, 1952, the U.N. Service Medal CIB, the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal and the S/S Bar Bronze Service Star. He retired from the U.S. Post Office, Natchez branch, after 33 years of service.

Mr. Thornburg was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Carroll McDaniel, Norman and Frank Thornburg.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Iown Teresa Benoit Thornburg; two daughters, Terry Lee Butler and her husband, Robby, Mila Hope Marie Sexton and her husband, George; four grandchildren, Caroline Marie Sexton, William Jacob Butler, Mary Catherine Butler and Christian George Sexton; sister, Rosemary Kiser; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Robby Butler, George Houston Sexton III, William Jacob Butler, Joe D. Rogers, William F. “Billy” Thornburg Jr., Norman Huby Thornburg, Eric Vige and Bill Goodwin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Frank, Alfred Verucchi, Buddy Fly, Joe Dallalio, John D. Dallalio, Raymond Rouse, Roy “Buster” Kiser Jr. and Wilmer Howell “Dub” Rogers III.

The family would like to extend thanks to Father David O’Connor and members of St. Mary Basilica, the many doctors and nurses who treated him, Dr. Rick Jeansonne and to his longtime fishing partner, Alfred Verrucchi.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Basilica, 107 S. Union St. Natchez.