Danny Joe Thornton, age 74 of Sherwood, Arkansas passed away on January 8, 2026. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 13, 1951 to the late Eugene Burns Thornton and Martha Irene (Bryant) Thornton.
Danny Joe was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Martha Thornton, an infant brother Joe Thornton, his son Daniel Shay Thornton, and his brother-in-law Lennie Bauman (Dorothy).
Danny is survived by his wife of 20 years Donna Jean (Bland) Thornton; his daughters Marty Ramey (Kenny), Jessica Smoke (Timmy) all of Virginia; his sons Bobby Gassaway and Johnathan Gassaway (Jill) both of Sherwood; his brother Quinn Thornton (Cissy) of Conway; sisters Mary Lou Bland (Mike) of Bryant and Dorothy Bauman of North Little Rock.
Danny is also survived by his grandchildren that he loved so much James, Julyn, David, and Johnny Ramey, Cole and Timmy Smoke all of Virginia, Gage and Jude Gassaway, Sam, Evan, Ben, and Will Gassaway, and his baby great-granddaughter Freya Gassaway.
Danny volunteered to serve his country in the United States Marines. He was shipped to the Vietnam War, where he served until he was severely wounded and honorably discharged. He received numerous medals including the Purple Heart. He volunteered at the DAV in Gravel Ridge. Danny Joe was an “old school, one-of-a-kind guy”. He will always be deeply loved and missed by his family and friends.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
6 Comments
Danny Joe was a good friend from High School. The past few years we reconnected. Thank you Donna for letting me know of his passing. He will truly be missed. RIP Danny Joe.
Thank you David. Danny thought the world of you & was so happy you guys found each other again .
I went to grade school with Danny Joe. So sorry for your loss.
Prayers to all the family, have known Danny joe and Quinn since grade school. R. I. P. Brother. Mark hillman
Known Danny Joe since junior high and the days of baseball at Burns Park. He was always a great guy and so much fun in school. Saw him at a couple of class reunions and he was still the same great Danny Joe RIP my friend, you will be missed.
Danny was such a great guy and friend to me. We missed out on some years but made up when I found him again. Also met Donna whom is such a blessing. He will truly be missed. Until we meet again Danny, I love you.
Comments are closed.