Robert “Pa” Dixon Thornton, age 78

Robert “Pa” Dixon Thornton, left us to go on to his eternal home in Heaven on February 26th, 2025. His wife of 22 years, Sandi, was by his side. He was 78 years old. Robert’s family is deeply saddened by his death, but take comfort knowing that Pa is back to his old self in the arms of his Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his wife Sandi, sister Charlotte, brother Thomas, children Chris (Lisa), Heather, Mary (Tyler), Sarah (Anthony), Christy (Chris), Valerie (David), Josh (Brooke), Nikki (Cody). Pa leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Hayley (Brad), Christopher, Maddie, Macie, Murrel, Sadie, Dakota, Aimee, Bruce, Christine (Bryce), Bryson, Jackson, Cooper, Maddie, August, Bonnie, Blake, Carter (Kaiya), Cayden, Lily and Olivia and his cherished great grandchildren, Jade, Bowden, Ashlynn, Will, Grant, and Gage.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Doris Thornton, his brother James, and grandchildren Bekah (Jamie) and Brianna.

Pa was born April 14th, 1946 in Lake Charles, LA. In 1964, he graduated from Minden High School where he was a member of the 1963 Minden High School undefeated AA state football championship team. After obtaining a degree in elementary education from Arkansas Tech University, he had many career paths, including insulation, pest control, welding, and finance. He also touched countless lives as an elementary school teacher, adult teacher with the prison system, and preacher.

When Pa retired, he filled his time with many hobbies and passions. On any given day, after a morning of conversation with his buddies at the donut shop, you could find Pa banjo picking bluegrass, guitar strumming gospel hymns, fishing with his grandkids, writing poetry, drawing caricatures, or playing chess. The TV would most likely be showing The Andy Griffith Show or Razorback sports. Always a jokester, he had an enormous amount of “dad jokes” at the ready. Pa collected pocket knives, chess sets, pens, and most notably Bibles, which he studied with devotion. The passion Robert showed in gaining as much knowledge as he could about Jesus and sharing it with his family will benefit generations to come.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service for Robert at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home in Alma, AR, on Friday, March 14th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Christian Academy 4201 Windsor Drive; Fort Smith, AR 72904.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com