Son of Leroy Chester Thornburg and Lural Augusta Wright.
******************************************
HERSCHEL THORNBURG
February 16, 1923 - October 25, 2006
NEWBERG - Herschel Thornburg, artist, musician and evangelist with a global ministry spanning more than 50 years, died on Wednesday, October 25th in Newberg, Oregon. He was 83.
Cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at the Friendsview Retirement Community's continuing care facility, after the family's request for Hospice comfort care was begun on September 20th.
Herschel was born near Hugoton, Kansas February 16th, 1923 to Leroy and Lural Thornburg. In 1925, his parents became pastors of a little country church near. Moorsville, Indiana. From that time, and throughout his childhood and youth, his father pastored in Friends Churches in Kansas, aside from one year, in Citrus Heights, California. Lural Thornburg passed away in Kansas, in 1932, but had already instilled a great love of music in Herschel, as a teacher and musician. She had enrolled two of her children at the nearby Friends Haviland Academy in 1930-31; Herschel came there in 1938-39, to finish high school. He had become a proficient pianist at a very early age. In 1940, he came back to Haviland to attend the Bible School, Friends Bible College, now known as Barclay Bible College, and graduated from the 2-year program in 1942. He chose the Ministry as his life's work and married Esther Ann Davis the same year he graduated. They moved to a pastorate at Coldwater, Kansas for one year, and then in 1943 moved to Oregon where Herschel worked to finish his college education at Pacific College in Newberg, now George Fox University. After graduation, he taught art and music there for two years, during which time their first two children, Anne and Bob, were born.
In 1947, Herschel and Esther again took a pastorate at the Coldwater Friends Church, in Kansas, and Herschel was recorded minister of the Friends church, In 1951, he felt called to go into full time evangelistic work, incorporating his gifts of art and music. The family traveled together in this ministry, as "The Gospel Aires" for two years, around the Midwest states, and into Texas. In 1953, the family settled in Friendswood, Texas, for the children to attend public school. Herschel worked in music sales in Houston, Texas, for the Hammond Organ Company, and received national awards for his presentations and sales records.
In 1955, Herschel traveled with the Four Flats quartet on a mission tour of the Far East, under the sponsorship of World Vision, in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, While on tour, he made contacts for a future ministry in Taiwan. In 1956, he brought the family back there on a tour and helped to establish and support seven churches and help Bible students train for the ministry in churches, schools, prisons and remote villages.
In 1958, Herschel and Esther settled the family in Newberg, Oregon, following the birth of their third child, Lon. In 1963, Herschel began to pioneer a summer ministry, establishing a camp and retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, named Melody Mountain, sponsored by the Gospel Aires. It was fueled by volunteer labor, restoring the old Meacham Hotel, to serve in the summer programs for youth and church groups. The program continues today, under the direction of his son, Lon Thornburg.
A winter ministry unfolded, in the 1980's, through churches in Arizona and around the Southwest, for the Snowbirds who traveled to live there from October through April of each year. Esther and Herschel spent most winter months ministering there. Herschel and Esther became semi-retired in the late 1980's, living in the Spaulding Oaks condominium community, an adjunct to the Friendsview Retirement Community, In 2003, they entered the Retirement Community as full-time residents, where Esther still resides.
As a Friends minister, Herschel worked around the U.S. with over 26 church denominations, in more than 50 years of active service with many evangelistic tours of churches in Alaska. His last tours were to London, England and to Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1998, Herschel was honored by Barclay Bible College, as Alumnus of the Year, in a presentation in Haviland, Kansas, for his years of ministry.
In 2003, the Fine Arts Commission of the Friends Church for the Northwestern U.S. presented Herschel and Esther with the Fine Arts Award, for 60 years of service within the community and the world at large. As an artist, he taught classes each summer and presented over 11,000 chalk art drawings in his ministry around the U.S., in the Far East, and in England. As an accomplished musician, he composed many Gospel songs and multiple recordings of his music, including vocals, keyboards, vibraphone and concert harp.
Herschel is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Anne Roberts of Newberg; sons, Bob Thornburg of Sheridan, Oregon, and Lon Thornburg of Pendleton, Oregon; and four grandchildren. He is survived by three siblings, Hubert Thornburg and Paul Thornburg of Newberg, Oregon; and Elda Ann Cox, his half-sister, of Wichita, Kansas.
Herschel's body was donated to medical research, through BioGift of Tigard, Oregon. He requested that his ashes be scattered over the beloved grounds of Melody Mountain retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, where he taught art and music for over 30 years. The Memorial service for Herschel will be held at the Newberg Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd.
The family requests that any gifts in memorial be given to one of the following two organizations:
1) The Friendsview Retirement Community's Residency Support Fund, which assists retirement needs of ministers and missionaries. Any gifts in Herschel's memory may be sent to Friendsview Retirement Community, 1301 Fulton Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
2) Those wishing to support an education fund, may donate a gift in Herschel's memory to his alma mater: Barclay Bible College, 607 N. Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059, for scholarship funding.
Contributed by: Anthony Wynn (46597311)
******************************************
HERSCHEL THORNBURG
February 16, 1923 - October 25, 2006
NEWBERG - Herschel Thornburg, artist, musician and evangelist with a global ministry spanning more than 50 years, died on Wednesday, October 25th in Newberg, Oregon. He was 83.
Cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at the Friendsview Retirement Community's continuing care facility, after the family's request for Hospice comfort care was begun on September 20th.
Herschel was born near Hugoton, Kansas February 16th, 1923 to Leroy and Lural Thornburg. In 1925, his parents became pastors of a little country church near. Moorsville, Indiana. From that time, and throughout his childhood and youth, his father pastored in Friends Churches in Kansas, aside from one year, in Citrus Heights, California. Lural Thornburg passed away in Kansas, in 1932, but had already instilled a great love of music in Herschel, as a teacher and musician. She had enrolled two of her children at the nearby Friends Haviland Academy in 1930-31; Herschel came there in 1938-39, to finish high school. He had become a proficient pianist at a very early age. In 1940, he came back to Haviland to attend the Bible School, Friends Bible College, now known as Barclay Bible College, and graduated from the 2-year program in 1942. He chose the Ministry as his life's work and married Esther Ann Davis the same year he graduated. They moved to a pastorate at Coldwater, Kansas for one year, and then in 1943 moved to Oregon where Herschel worked to finish his college education at Pacific College in Newberg, now George Fox University. After graduation, he taught art and music there for two years, during which time their first two children, Anne and Bob, were born.
In 1947, Herschel and Esther again took a pastorate at the Coldwater Friends Church, in Kansas, and Herschel was recorded minister of the Friends church, In 1951, he felt called to go into full time evangelistic work, incorporating his gifts of art and music. The family traveled together in this ministry, as "The Gospel Aires" for two years, around the Midwest states, and into Texas. In 1953, the family settled in Friendswood, Texas, for the children to attend public school. Herschel worked in music sales in Houston, Texas, for the Hammond Organ Company, and received national awards for his presentations and sales records.
In 1955, Herschel traveled with the Four Flats quartet on a mission tour of the Far East, under the sponsorship of World Vision, in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, While on tour, he made contacts for a future ministry in Taiwan. In 1956, he brought the family back there on a tour and helped to establish and support seven churches and help Bible students train for the ministry in churches, schools, prisons and remote villages.
In 1958, Herschel and Esther settled the family in Newberg, Oregon, following the birth of their third child, Lon. In 1963, Herschel began to pioneer a summer ministry, establishing a camp and retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, named Melody Mountain, sponsored by the Gospel Aires. It was fueled by volunteer labor, restoring the old Meacham Hotel, to serve in the summer programs for youth and church groups. The program continues today, under the direction of his son, Lon Thornburg.
A winter ministry unfolded, in the 1980's, through churches in Arizona and around the Southwest, for the Snowbirds who traveled to live there from October through April of each year. Esther and Herschel spent most winter months ministering there. Herschel and Esther became semi-retired in the late 1980's, living in the Spaulding Oaks condominium community, an adjunct to the Friendsview Retirement Community, In 2003, they entered the Retirement Community as full-time residents, where Esther still resides.
As a Friends minister, Herschel worked around the U.S. with over 26 church denominations, in more than 50 years of active service with many evangelistic tours of churches in Alaska. His last tours were to London, England and to Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1998, Herschel was honored by Barclay Bible College, as Alumnus of the Year, in a presentation in Haviland, Kansas, for his years of ministry.
In 2003, the Fine Arts Commission of the Friends Church for the Northwestern U.S. presented Herschel and Esther with the Fine Arts Award, for 60 years of service within the community and the world at large. As an artist, he taught classes each summer and presented over 11,000 chalk art drawings in his ministry around the U.S., in the Far East, and in England. As an accomplished musician, he composed many Gospel songs and multiple recordings of his music, including vocals, keyboards, vibraphone and concert harp.
Herschel is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Anne Roberts of Newberg; sons, Bob Thornburg of Sheridan, Oregon, and Lon Thornburg of Pendleton, Oregon; and four grandchildren. He is survived by three siblings, Hubert Thornburg and Paul Thornburg of Newberg, Oregon; and Elda Ann Cox, his half-sister, of Wichita, Kansas.
Herschel's body was donated to medical research, through BioGift of Tigard, Oregon. He requested that his ashes be scattered over the beloved grounds of Melody Mountain retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, where he taught art and music for over 30 years. The Memorial service for Herschel will be held at the Newberg Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd.
The family requests that any gifts in memorial be given to one of the following two organizations:
1) The Friendsview Retirement Community's Residency Support Fund, which assists retirement needs of ministers and missionaries. Any gifts in Herschel's memory may be sent to Friendsview Retirement Community, 1301 Fulton Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
2) Those wishing to support an education fund, may donate a gift in Herschel's memory to his alma mater: Barclay Bible College, 607 N. Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059, for scholarship funding.
Contributed by: Anthony Wynn (46597311)
Son of Leroy Chester Thornburg and Lural Augusta Wright.
******************************************
HERSCHEL THORNBURG
February 16, 1923 - October 25, 2006
NEWBERG - Herschel Thornburg, artist, musician and evangelist with a global ministry spanning more than 50 years, died on Wednesday, October 25th in Newberg, Oregon. He was 83.
Cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at the Friendsview Retirement Community's continuing care facility, after the family's request for Hospice comfort care was begun on September 20th.
Herschel was born near Hugoton, Kansas February 16th, 1923 to Leroy and Lural Thornburg. In 1925, his parents became pastors of a little country church near. Moorsville, Indiana. From that time, and throughout his childhood and youth, his father pastored in Friends Churches in Kansas, aside from one year, in Citrus Heights, California. Lural Thornburg passed away in Kansas, in 1932, but had already instilled a great love of music in Herschel, as a teacher and musician. She had enrolled two of her children at the nearby Friends Haviland Academy in 1930-31; Herschel came there in 1938-39, to finish high school. He had become a proficient pianist at a very early age. In 1940, he came back to Haviland to attend the Bible School, Friends Bible College, now known as Barclay Bible College, and graduated from the 2-year program in 1942. He chose the Ministry as his life's work and married Esther Ann Davis the same year he graduated. They moved to a pastorate at Coldwater, Kansas for one year, and then in 1943 moved to Oregon where Herschel worked to finish his college education at Pacific College in Newberg, now George Fox University. After graduation, he taught art and music there for two years, during which time their first two children, Anne and Bob, were born.
In 1947, Herschel and Esther again took a pastorate at the Coldwater Friends Church, in Kansas, and Herschel was recorded minister of the Friends church, In 1951, he felt called to go into full time evangelistic work, incorporating his gifts of art and music. The family traveled together in this ministry, as "The Gospel Aires" for two years, around the Midwest states, and into Texas. In 1953, the family settled in Friendswood, Texas, for the children to attend public school. Herschel worked in music sales in Houston, Texas, for the Hammond Organ Company, and received national awards for his presentations and sales records.
In 1955, Herschel traveled with the Four Flats quartet on a mission tour of the Far East, under the sponsorship of World Vision, in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, While on tour, he made contacts for a future ministry in Taiwan. In 1956, he brought the family back there on a tour and helped to establish and support seven churches and help Bible students train for the ministry in churches, schools, prisons and remote villages.
In 1958, Herschel and Esther settled the family in Newberg, Oregon, following the birth of their third child, Lon. In 1963, Herschel began to pioneer a summer ministry, establishing a camp and retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, named Melody Mountain, sponsored by the Gospel Aires. It was fueled by volunteer labor, restoring the old Meacham Hotel, to serve in the summer programs for youth and church groups. The program continues today, under the direction of his son, Lon Thornburg.
A winter ministry unfolded, in the 1980's, through churches in Arizona and around the Southwest, for the Snowbirds who traveled to live there from October through April of each year. Esther and Herschel spent most winter months ministering there. Herschel and Esther became semi-retired in the late 1980's, living in the Spaulding Oaks condominium community, an adjunct to the Friendsview Retirement Community, In 2003, they entered the Retirement Community as full-time residents, where Esther still resides.
As a Friends minister, Herschel worked around the U.S. with over 26 church denominations, in more than 50 years of active service with many evangelistic tours of churches in Alaska. His last tours were to London, England and to Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1998, Herschel was honored by Barclay Bible College, as Alumnus of the Year, in a presentation in Haviland, Kansas, for his years of ministry.
In 2003, the Fine Arts Commission of the Friends Church for the Northwestern U.S. presented Herschel and Esther with the Fine Arts Award, for 60 years of service within the community and the world at large. As an artist, he taught classes each summer and presented over 11,000 chalk art drawings in his ministry around the U.S., in the Far East, and in England. As an accomplished musician, he composed many Gospel songs and multiple recordings of his music, including vocals, keyboards, vibraphone and concert harp.
Herschel is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Anne Roberts of Newberg; sons, Bob Thornburg of Sheridan, Oregon, and Lon Thornburg of Pendleton, Oregon; and four grandchildren. He is survived by three siblings, Hubert Thornburg and Paul Thornburg of Newberg, Oregon; and Elda Ann Cox, his half-sister, of Wichita, Kansas.
Herschel's body was donated to medical research, through BioGift of Tigard, Oregon. He requested that his ashes be scattered over the beloved grounds of Melody Mountain retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, where he taught art and music for over 30 years. The Memorial service for Herschel will be held at the Newberg Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd.
The family requests that any gifts in memorial be given to one of the following two organizations:
1) The Friendsview Retirement Community's Residency Support Fund, which assists retirement needs of ministers and missionaries. Any gifts in Herschel's memory may be sent to Friendsview Retirement Community, 1301 Fulton Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
2) Those wishing to support an education fund, may donate a gift in Herschel's memory to his alma mater: Barclay Bible College, 607 N. Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059, for scholarship funding.
Contributed by: Anthony Wynn (46597311)
******************************************
HERSCHEL THORNBURG
February 16, 1923 - October 25, 2006
NEWBERG - Herschel Thornburg, artist, musician and evangelist with a global ministry spanning more than 50 years, died on Wednesday, October 25th in Newberg, Oregon. He was 83.
Cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at the Friendsview Retirement Community's continuing care facility, after the family's request for Hospice comfort care was begun on September 20th.
Herschel was born near Hugoton, Kansas February 16th, 1923 to Leroy and Lural Thornburg. In 1925, his parents became pastors of a little country church near. Moorsville, Indiana. From that time, and throughout his childhood and youth, his father pastored in Friends Churches in Kansas, aside from one year, in Citrus Heights, California. Lural Thornburg passed away in Kansas, in 1932, but had already instilled a great love of music in Herschel, as a teacher and musician. She had enrolled two of her children at the nearby Friends Haviland Academy in 1930-31; Herschel came there in 1938-39, to finish high school. He had become a proficient pianist at a very early age. In 1940, he came back to Haviland to attend the Bible School, Friends Bible College, now known as Barclay Bible College, and graduated from the 2-year program in 1942. He chose the Ministry as his life's work and married Esther Ann Davis the same year he graduated. They moved to a pastorate at Coldwater, Kansas for one year, and then in 1943 moved to Oregon where Herschel worked to finish his college education at Pacific College in Newberg, now George Fox University. After graduation, he taught art and music there for two years, during which time their first two children, Anne and Bob, were born.
In 1947, Herschel and Esther again took a pastorate at the Coldwater Friends Church, in Kansas, and Herschel was recorded minister of the Friends church, In 1951, he felt called to go into full time evangelistic work, incorporating his gifts of art and music. The family traveled together in this ministry, as "The Gospel Aires" for two years, around the Midwest states, and into Texas. In 1953, the family settled in Friendswood, Texas, for the children to attend public school. Herschel worked in music sales in Houston, Texas, for the Hammond Organ Company, and received national awards for his presentations and sales records.
In 1955, Herschel traveled with the Four Flats quartet on a mission tour of the Far East, under the sponsorship of World Vision, in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, While on tour, he made contacts for a future ministry in Taiwan. In 1956, he brought the family back there on a tour and helped to establish and support seven churches and help Bible students train for the ministry in churches, schools, prisons and remote villages.
In 1958, Herschel and Esther settled the family in Newberg, Oregon, following the birth of their third child, Lon. In 1963, Herschel began to pioneer a summer ministry, establishing a camp and retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, named Melody Mountain, sponsored by the Gospel Aires. It was fueled by volunteer labor, restoring the old Meacham Hotel, to serve in the summer programs for youth and church groups. The program continues today, under the direction of his son, Lon Thornburg.
A winter ministry unfolded, in the 1980's, through churches in Arizona and around the Southwest, for the Snowbirds who traveled to live there from October through April of each year. Esther and Herschel spent most winter months ministering there. Herschel and Esther became semi-retired in the late 1980's, living in the Spaulding Oaks condominium community, an adjunct to the Friendsview Retirement Community, In 2003, they entered the Retirement Community as full-time residents, where Esther still resides.
As a Friends minister, Herschel worked around the U.S. with over 26 church denominations, in more than 50 years of active service with many evangelistic tours of churches in Alaska. His last tours were to London, England and to Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1998, Herschel was honored by Barclay Bible College, as Alumnus of the Year, in a presentation in Haviland, Kansas, for his years of ministry.
In 2003, the Fine Arts Commission of the Friends Church for the Northwestern U.S. presented Herschel and Esther with the Fine Arts Award, for 60 years of service within the community and the world at large. As an artist, he taught classes each summer and presented over 11,000 chalk art drawings in his ministry around the U.S., in the Far East, and in England. As an accomplished musician, he composed many Gospel songs and multiple recordings of his music, including vocals, keyboards, vibraphone and concert harp.
Herschel is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Anne Roberts of Newberg; sons, Bob Thornburg of Sheridan, Oregon, and Lon Thornburg of Pendleton, Oregon; and four grandchildren. He is survived by three siblings, Hubert Thornburg and Paul Thornburg of Newberg, Oregon; and Elda Ann Cox, his half-sister, of Wichita, Kansas.
Herschel's body was donated to medical research, through BioGift of Tigard, Oregon. He requested that his ashes be scattered over the beloved grounds of Melody Mountain retreat center in Meacham, Oregon, where he taught art and music for over 30 years. The Memorial service for Herschel will be held at the Newberg Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd.
The family requests that any gifts in memorial be given to one of the following two organizations:
1) The Friendsview Retirement Community's Residency Support Fund, which assists retirement needs of ministers and missionaries. Any gifts in Herschel's memory may be sent to Friendsview Retirement Community, 1301 Fulton Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132.
2) Those wishing to support an education fund, may donate a gift in Herschel's memory to his alma mater: Barclay Bible College, 607 N. Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059, for scholarship funding.
Contributed by: Anthony Wynn (46597311)
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