Charles E. Thornton was born March 21, 1936 in Grimes, Oklahoma to Eula Estelle and David William Thornton and passed away April 9, 1998 in the Baptist Medical Center at the age of 62 years and 18 days.

He lived in the Grimes/Dempsey area before moving to Erick when he was 12. He graduated from Erick High School in 1955. On June 3 of that year he married Sandra Ballew in the Erick Church of Christ Parsonage. They made their home in the Texola and Erick communities. Charles had worked for the Burlington Railroad as a telegraph operator. He also had worked as an electrican at the Carbon Black Plant near Shamrock, Texas. Charles worked for the Beckham County Sheriffs Office before serving as the Erick Chief of Police for several years. Most recently he and Bob Ed Wilson operated their own carpentry business. Charles was very involved in the community and had recently retired from the Erick Volunteer Fire Department and the Volunteer Ambulance Service. He was currently serving as a member of the Erick City Council. He was a member of the Erick Church of Christ.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Sandra, of the home; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Jo Lynn Miller and husband, Danny, Pam Miller and husband, Gene all of Erick, Oklahoma and Charla Holland and husband, Kevin of Weatherford, Oklahoma; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Billy Thornton and wife, Shelia of Enid, Oklahoma. His parents, Dave and Eula Thornton of Erick, Oklahoma; 2 sisters, Ann Menzel and husband, Ron, of Houston, Texas and Sue Gardner of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held Monday, April 1`3, 1998 at 2p.m. in the Erick Church of Christ with Duward Weatherford officiating.

Interment in the Erick Cemetery, Erick, Beckham County, Oklahoma.

Pallbearers were: David Kerr, Ron Menzel, Jeff Miller, Gene Miller, Todd Gardner, Chuck Miller, Kevin Holland and Danny Miller.