Jackie Hamilton Thornton, 58, went home to Jesus on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. Jackie was born Oct. 14, 1955, in Amarillo, Texas the son of Floyd and Carrie Thornton. He moved to Farmington with his parents in 1965. Jackie grew up in the ministry. His father was a Pentecostal preacher and the family did ministry throughout the southwest. During Jackie's school years he made a lot of friends many that were life-long. He excelled in football, wrestling, and track. Jackie won several state titles as well as an induction into the Farmington High School Hall of Fame. He went on to play for the University of Colorado after being sought out by dozens of national ranked colleges. He later met and married the love of his life Lorna Rasmussen. They each brought a precious son in the marriage and the Lord blessed them with 3 beautiful daughters during their 30 years of marriage. Jackie and Lorna also had over 20 "extra" kids during those sweet though sometimes hard years. They hosted countless barbeques, parties, and dinners in their home. Jackie could barbeque with the best of them feeding literally hundreds of people. The ministry that Jackie loved and cherished the most was passion play. He was the biggest and meanest Roman soldier for nine years then went on to be Rabbi for five years. Jackie was very dedicated to sharing the gospel through the Passion Play ministry because he saw the impact it had on others and himself. He also had a strong desire to reach out and celebrate life with those affected by disability. He would go so far as to help decorate for parties and events even the girlie ones to support his daughter and others with disabilities. Jackie was intensely proud of all his children and grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by not only his family but by countless others whose life he touched. He leaves behind his wife Lorna Thornton, sons, Jackie Thornton Jr. and Brandon Drake; daughters, Sierra Rasmussen, Sharrisse Rasmussen, and Maranda Rasmussen and five beautiful grandchildren whom Jackie love and adored and many dear friends.
Funeral services for Jackie will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Pinion Hills Community Church, 5101 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, with Pastor Stan Burgett officiating.
Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6917 E. Main St. in Farmington.
Pallbearers are Michael Rasmussen, Gordon Rasmussen, William Rasmussen, Adam Rasmussen, Kent Boggio and Phillip Nahkai.
Memorials may be made in Jackie's memory to Passion Play Ministries International, P.O. Box 1697, Aztec, NM 87410.
Jackie's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com.
Published in Farmington Daily Times from Feb. 4 to Feb. 15, 2014