Walter “Larry” Thornton
June 22, 1932 – September 5, 2013
Larry Thornton was a popular and highly influential high school band director who, for two decades ran the immensely regarded music program at William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California, just north of Los Angeles. Born in Central California’s Kern County, Thornton landed at Newhall’s Placerita Junior High School during the early ’60s. In 1969, he took over the already storied music program at Hart High School. Until his retirement in 1989, Thornton mentored what would become some of the greatest high school marching and stage bands in the state at the time. Under Thornton’s direction, Hart’s Chieftains marching band and Braves stage band won numerous county and statewide competitions. A trumpet player himself, Thornton was a direct influence on one student in particular, Glen Marhevka, who went on to play trumpet for the multi-platinum selling band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Thornton’s influence was so great that during the late 2000’s, former students formed an appreciation society they called Mr. Thornton’s Opus, in a nod to “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” the 1995 award-winning Richard Dreyfuss film that centered around a remarkable high school band director. During the late 2000’s, Thornton suffered a serious stroke and was diagnosed with cancer in later years. Larry Thornton was 81 when he passed away on September 5, 2013.
he was a Great Tearcher! I am honored to have known him. Rest in Peace, Mr T.
R.I.P>
I hope he know how many lives touched in a profound way. Play on Mr. Thornton. RIP
Had him as a teacher at Placerita JH. He was truely one of the finest teachers there was. Heaven will have a fine new member! My condolences to his family.
Thanks for the update Joe. He tried like hell to teach me to harmonize always with great energy and patience. The world's a quieter place…
I am grateful for Mr. Thornton and will miss him. He was a "Father" to all of his students and took personal time to give each of us the chance to be our best. He was a Loving Husband, Excellent Teacher, and Joyful Person. Even after the stroke, when all he could say was "Mony," he still communicated his love and strength to beat all odds. We are thankful that we could celebrate him at "Mr. Thornton's Opus" and in a small way, he and Lyn were recognized by his students for the positive impact they both had on our lives! Grace and Peace, Mr. Thornton. And all our love and prayers for strength go to our lovely Lyn Thornton.
I am grateful for Mr. Thornton and will miss him. He was a “Father” to all of his students and took personal time to give each of us the chance to be our best. He was a Loving Husband, Excellent Teacher, and Joyful Person. Even after the stroke, when all he could say was “Mony,” he still communicated his love and strength to beat all odds. We are thankful that we could celebrate him at “Mr. Thornton’s Opus” and in a small way, he and Lyn were recognized by his students for the positive impact they both had on our lives! Grace and Peace, Mr. Thornton. And all our love and prayers for strength go to our lovely Lyn Thornton.
Dear Friends – The memorial service for Larry Thornton is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, 1:00 PM at Eternal Valley Mortuary in Newhall, CA. A reception will immediately follow.
Dear Friends – The memorial service for Larry Thornton is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, 1:00 PM at Eternal Valley Mortuary in Newhall, CA. A reception will immediately follow.
Don and I will be there.
I’m hoping that in two weeks I’ll be able to ride in a car. So far, sitting is still impossible. But, two weeks is a long time! Even if I’m not there in body, I will be there with love and prayers!
A personal tribute page for Walter L "Larry" Thornton through the following website. Please share the link below with friends and family to inform them of service details, to sign the digital guest book, or simply allow them to view the tribute page:
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Walter-thornton&lc=2241&pid=166874352&mid=5659845&cid=em.legacy.dm.2241.5659845
If you would like to add photos or notes to the tribute page, we encourage you and your friends and family to continue visiting the tribute page and add guest book entries and other information may be added over the coming days.
Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary
23287 North Sierra Hwy.
Newhall, CA
(661) 259-0800
http://www.eternalvalleymortuary.com
Larry was a musical legend at Hart High & I loved and adored him!!!
Larry Thornton was my High School Band Teacher 1977-1980. Looking back,those were great years of learning and performing music. Larry’s dedication to music and students guided many more people than are mentioned above. And I am proud to have known him. Its great to see how his life influenced to many…
continued…
Its great to see how is life influenced so many people for so many years.
Larry Thornton instilled a drive for excellence in all that we accomplished both as band members and as students. He worked tirelessly putting together rehearsals, marching routines, concerts, assemblies, and musical support for the theater department. He was always there to lend an ear when we needed to talk…about anything. He was one of the truly great ones and we’ll miss him. Rest in peace, Mr Thornton, and don’t cut Gabriel any slack when it’s time to compete for 1st chair. You got the chops, Boss…always have.
Linda, thanks for the links to the guestbook and info on the memorial
HART HIGH BAND FAMILY & FRIENDS…
You may remember that Deb Franklin (Debbie Arnfeld – Class of 1974) was kind enough to offer her talents in floral arrangements for Mr. Thornton’s Opus – they were BEAUTIFUL! And NOW, she’s offering these talents again for the Mr. Thornton’s Memorial Service on Saturday, September 28th.
If you would like to contribute and help take the cost of the Memorial’s Flower Arrangements off of Mrs. Thornton’s hands, please IMMEDIATELY contact Deb at the following location. ANY AMOUNT you can share will be helpful and will give you an opportunity to be a part of the Service.
Debbie Arnfeld Franklin
Kathy G’s Anything But Ordinary
1429 La Canada Dr
Brea, CA 92821
gafranklin@earthlink.net (home email)
kathygsabo@earthlink.net (work email)
http://kathygseventflowers.com/ (work website)
1-562-690-1019
If you have any questions, please give me a call.
Linda Christophersen Borza
805-534-1884
Ohhh wow So sad. I hadnt' heard.
Am aflat aceasta pagina, dupa ce am cautat despre Died On This
Date (September 5, 2013) Larry Thornton / Beloved High School
Band Director The Music’s Over pe Google. Se pare ca informatia dvs e foarte valoroasa, mai ales ca am
mai gasit aici si despre ora, ora exacta, lucruri interesante si folositoare.
Mult succes in continuare!