Alfred Ray Thornley, a man known for his cheerful disposition and great integrity, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at home in his beloved Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 9, 1930, to Oscar J. and Lula E. Thornley in Hugo, Okla.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving parents; brothers, Leo and Cecil; and sisters, Reba Wiggins, Freda Shipp and Mildred Thornley.
Ray is survived by his sister, Helen Jensen; brother, Cleo C. Thornley; son, Jon Thornley; and nieces and nephews.
Ray loved his country and served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, Ray worked for the United States Information Agency. He worked with a remarkable variety of people, including Henry Kissinger, Nigerian tribesman and U.S. Army generals, often under difficult conditions in some of the most sensitive and important U.S. Embassy posts. Ray received numerous governmental awards for outstanding performance of duties including a citation from the president of the United States. Ray represented our nation with grace and dignity throughout his career in South Viet Nam, Thailand, Nigeria, South Korea and India. He retired from the Federal Diplomatic Service in 1980. Rays' love of life was contagious to all his family and friends.
Ray was compassionate about his family and friends, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His quick wit, ability to laugh and love of life are Ray's legacy to all those he loved so dearly. Ray expressed many times his thank-fullness for all his friends who prepared his meals, held his hands and kept his spirits high, enabling him to spend his last days in the comfort of his home.
In life, Ray's signature was his 'ol cap that you never saw him without. Now it's our turn to tip our hats to Ray celebrating his memory at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Palm Mortuary Chapel, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving parents; brothers, Leo and Cecil; and sisters, Reba Wiggins, Freda Shipp and Mildred Thornley.
Ray is survived by his sister, Helen Jensen; brother, Cleo C. Thornley; son, Jon Thornley; and nieces and nephews.
Ray loved his country and served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, Ray worked for the United States Information Agency. He worked with a remarkable variety of people, including Henry Kissinger, Nigerian tribesman and U.S. Army generals, often under difficult conditions in some of the most sensitive and important U.S. Embassy posts. Ray received numerous governmental awards for outstanding performance of duties including a citation from the president of the United States. Ray represented our nation with grace and dignity throughout his career in South Viet Nam, Thailand, Nigeria, South Korea and India. He retired from the Federal Diplomatic Service in 1980. Rays' love of life was contagious to all his family and friends.
Ray was compassionate about his family and friends, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His quick wit, ability to laugh and love of life are Ray's legacy to all those he loved so dearly. Ray expressed many times his thank-fullness for all his friends who prepared his meals, held his hands and kept his spirits high, enabling him to spend his last days in the comfort of his home.
In life, Ray's signature was his 'ol cap that you never saw him without. Now it's our turn to tip our hats to Ray celebrating his memory at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Palm Mortuary Chapel, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Alfred Ray Thornley, a man known for his cheerful disposition and great integrity, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at home in his beloved Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 9, 1930, to Oscar J. and Lula E. Thornley in Hugo, Okla.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving parents; brothers, Leo and Cecil; and sisters, Reba Wiggins, Freda Shipp and Mildred Thornley.
Ray is survived by his sister, Helen Jensen; brother, Cleo C. Thornley; son, Jon Thornley; and nieces and nephews.
Ray loved his country and served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, Ray worked for the United States Information Agency. He worked with a remarkable variety of people, including Henry Kissinger, Nigerian tribesman and U.S. Army generals, often under difficult conditions in some of the most sensitive and important U.S. Embassy posts. Ray received numerous governmental awards for outstanding performance of duties including a citation from the president of the United States. Ray represented our nation with grace and dignity throughout his career in South Viet Nam, Thailand, Nigeria, South Korea and India. He retired from the Federal Diplomatic Service in 1980. Rays' love of life was contagious to all his family and friends.
Ray was compassionate about his family and friends, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His quick wit, ability to laugh and love of life are Ray's legacy to all those he loved so dearly. Ray expressed many times his thank-fullness for all his friends who prepared his meals, held his hands and kept his spirits high, enabling him to spend his last days in the comfort of his home.
In life, Ray's signature was his 'ol cap that you never saw him without. Now it's our turn to tip our hats to Ray celebrating his memory at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Palm Mortuary Chapel, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving parents; brothers, Leo and Cecil; and sisters, Reba Wiggins, Freda Shipp and Mildred Thornley.
Ray is survived by his sister, Helen Jensen; brother, Cleo C. Thornley; son, Jon Thornley; and nieces and nephews.
Ray loved his country and served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, Ray worked for the United States Information Agency. He worked with a remarkable variety of people, including Henry Kissinger, Nigerian tribesman and U.S. Army generals, often under difficult conditions in some of the most sensitive and important U.S. Embassy posts. Ray received numerous governmental awards for outstanding performance of duties including a citation from the president of the United States. Ray represented our nation with grace and dignity throughout his career in South Viet Nam, Thailand, Nigeria, South Korea and India. He retired from the Federal Diplomatic Service in 1980. Rays' love of life was contagious to all his family and friends.
Ray was compassionate about his family and friends, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His quick wit, ability to laugh and love of life are Ray's legacy to all those he loved so dearly. Ray expressed many times his thank-fullness for all his friends who prepared his meals, held his hands and kept his spirits high, enabling him to spend his last days in the comfort of his home.
In life, Ray's signature was his 'ol cap that you never saw him without. Now it's our turn to tip our hats to Ray celebrating his memory at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Palm Mortuary Chapel, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.
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