andrew thornton obituary
Thornton was educated at Sayre in Lexington, a private elementary school, and attended Sewanee Military Academy, a prestigious Tennessee institution. Thornton consistently maintained that nothing illegal occurred on his farm. The bag that had carried the cocaine becomes the focus of a mystery roughly 30 years later. He was a quick learner, great athlete, and talented guitar player. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ludie Litz Scholarship Fund. Thornton had been smuggling drugs for years before his now-infamous 1985 flight. Now, this should be the end of Thorntons story; however, there was another incident three months later that linked all the way back to him. Banks told USA Today she was forced to omit aspects of Thorntons life that were too wild even for this movie. Nevertheless, the character is so outrageous that when star Keri Russell first brought the script home, her husband and fellow actor Matthew Rhys read it and immediately said, Text [Elizabeth] Banks and tell her I want to play that guy.. Rest easy now, Southside Chapel5033 Rouse DriveVirginia Beach, VA 23462(757) 422-4000More Info, Riverside Chapel7415 River RoadNewport News, VA 23607(757) 245-1525More Info, Maestas Chapel1801 Baltic AvenueVirginia Beach, VA 23451(757) 428-1112More Info, Denbigh Chapel12893 Jefferson AvenueNewport News, VA 23608(757) 874-4200More Info, Chesapeake Chapel929 South Battlefield Blvd.Chesapeake, VA 23322(757) 482-3311More Info, Bucktrout of Williamsburg4124 Ironbound RoadWilliamsburg, VA 23188(757) 229-3822More Info, Please choose the location you would like to call. After his apprehension, U.S. marshals transported Thornton to Fresno for his arraignment, where he posted $75,000 in cash and a $1 million personal surety bond, secured by his interest in three racehorses. Would you like to offer Andrew Tyler Thorntons loved ones a condolence message? [6] At the time of his death Thornton was wearing a bulletproof vest and expensive Italian shoes, and in possession of night vision goggles, a green army duffel bag containing approximately 35 kilograms (75lbs.) Plant Memorial Trees Opens send flowers url in a new window The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Bill worked for Carolina Packers Inc. for many years and he loved their hotdogs too. He returned to Kentucky to await trial, and on Feb. 27, 1982, three days before he was scheduled to appear for a hearing in Fresno, Thornton was shot twice in the chest at close range as he was leaving a Lexington restaurant. 1801 Baltic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. He surrounded Triad, the isolated Jessamine County farm that he owned, with concertina wire, setting up barracks and digging trenches, according to Kentucky State Police. He was carrying a green Army duffel bag containing 88 pounds of cocaine valued at $15 million, $4,500 in cash, six 0.1 ounce gold Krugerrands (a South African gold coin that accounted for 90% of the global gold coin market by 1980), knives, and two pistols. Church at 112 E Blanche St, Pine Level, NC 27568. One case among the remaining 23 indictments was dismissed; the other defendants were either convicted or became government witnesses. I have so many fond memories staying up till the early AMs of the morning be it winning, losing, raging, or laughing. But there are some who feel it was the most appropriate way for him to go. Within days of his arrest, several federal agencies joined the investigation, and a few months later 25 individuals were indicted in Fresno, Calif., and charged with conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana and to steal government property from the China Lake Naval Base. Thats right. Cocaine overdose. After graduation from Sewanee in 1962, he joined ROTC and attended one semester at the University of Kentucky. Altmeyer Funeral Home - Maestas Chapel Make sure that the file is a photo. She is survived by brother Patrick Anthony Thornton (Ann), her daughter Kathryn Gaynor Anderson Porter, her son Edward Thornton Anderson (Blair) and her daughter Virginia Littleton Anderson Stone (Tim) She is also survived by her five cherished grandchildren; Mary Winslow Anderson, Edward Thornton Anderson, Jr., Anderson Ellis Stone, Grace Littleton Stone and step grandson Ian Patrick Stone. Dec 19, 1953 - Oct 15, 2019. Smithfield William Bill Edmon Thornton, age 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. (19 years old). He was also preceded in death by his only son Donald Andrew "Andy" Thornton II and step-son Roger Douglas . ", In his pocket were three epigrams. Carmen Marine Kreutzer, age 79, of Commerce City, Colorado passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Learn more about merges. As a policeman, Thornton would meet "with Mafia hit men from Detroit who had contracts on him," she said. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. She taught music and kindergarten for many years at Highlands Day School and will be remembered by many as "Miss Annette". Drew was a talented gamer he always was kind and nice to me I remember we created our 10 man called Lads 10 mans and those days were very fun I hope he finds peace and to his family as well I am very sorry for youre loss drew was a amazing young man. He became a member of the Lexington Police Department's narcotics squad in the early 1970s and worked on narcotics investigations with the Louisville office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Please try again later. Betty Zairing says Thornton thought of himself as a purist, an innocent. "He went out like an eagle scout," Zairing says of Thornton's death. A secretary for Threave Main Stud said Thornton's parents are "burned out on talking to the press" and had nothing more to add. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. [3][failed verification], After resigning from the police in 1977, Thornton practiced law in Lexington. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Shirley Lou Brown, age 95, of Broomfield, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. One read: "There is only one tactical principle not subject to change: it is to inflict the maximum amount of wounds, death and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.". He is the author of two true crime books: Love Me or Else and Fatal Jealousy. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. He was unharmed thanks to a bulletproof vest, and authorities later determined Thornton staged the shooting himself to fool the judge into believing his life would be in danger if he were imprisoned, according to The Washington Post. Other items in the garment bag included clothes and a map of Jamaica. OBITUARY Joseph Andrew Anderson January 29, 1935 - October 14, 2021 IN THE CARE OF Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Highland Dr. Joseph Andrew Anderson, beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friends to many, of Denver, Colorado, formerly of Paris, departed this life on, Thursday, October 14, 2021, having attained the age of 86 years. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? RIP Drew, legends never die. He felt smug in his survivability, his elusiveness, his discretion and his insulation. cemeteries found in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}How Pete Davidsons Life Inspired Bupkis, Jerry Springers Surprising Stint as a Politician, 7 Memorable Guests from The Late Late Show, Tucker Carlson Leaves Fox News. Drew and I spent a lot of time playing video games with each other. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Ryan Moore horse jockey. Ralph Ross, a retired Kentucky State Police officer formerly in charge of the state's intelligence division. She was an avid Alabama football fan and rarely missed a game. It was a quiet, partly cloudy morning when Andrew Drew Thornton II fell out of the sky and landed on a driveway in Knoxville, Tennessee, with $15 million worth of cocaine strapped to his body. Andrew Thornton II was born in 1945 in Lexington, Kentucky, to horse breeders Carter and Peggy. They weren't in it for the money alone." While awaiting trial in 1982 on his criminal charges, Thornton was shot twice in the chest at close range while leaving a restaurant in Lexington. [10] The beginning of episode one features a flashback to 1983 in which a man falls to his death, parachute still attached, with bricks of cocaine scattered around his body. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Hugs to you all during this difficult time. He was born in Lebanon, KY to Bertha and Andrew Thornton on December 8th, 1927. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Delma Ray Thornton, and Bernice Thornton; sisters, Faye Pope, and Edith Britt. To enemies, he was ruthless, egotistical, amoral -- driven by an ego so fragile he overcompensated with machismo. Unfortunately, theres hardly anything else known about Andrew C. Thornton II from 1981 until 1985 at the time of his death. Please reset your password. A funeral service for Robert will be held Monday, May 15, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Swan-Law Robert Valdez Sr., age 67, of Denver, Colorado passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023. These real-life events from 1985 were the inspiration behind the .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Elizabeth Banksdirected action-comedy movie Cocaine Bear, which hits theaters today. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Andrew Carter Drew Thornton II I found on Findagrave.com. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. He is survived by : his parents, Jim Thornton and Karen Thornton (Sabol) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his brothers, Zachary and Ryan Thornton of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and his grandparents, Thelma Thornton (VanWyngarden) of Rustburg, Virginia, Dennis Sabol, Edwina Barton of Oxford, Anthony and Patricia Fronzaglia (Malloy) of Lynchburg. She was a university coed, a beauty from Shelby County. And also way funnier.. There is no photo or video of Andrew Tyler Thornton.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Pallbearers are Edward Thornton Anderson, Jr., Anderson Ellis Stone, James Andrew Watson, Sr., John Slade Screven, Edward Franklin Screven, and James Odingsell Screven, III. Commander Dr. O.W. Andrew Carter "Drew" Thornton II Birth 30 Oct 1944 Bourbon County, Kentucky, USA Death 11 Sep 1985 (aged 40) Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, USA Burial Paris Cemetery Paris, Bourbon County, Their association began in the early 1970s when Thornton worked closely with the DEA. Thornton apparently got caught in his parachute and began to freefall. The bear ate it, overdosed, and unfortunately died. Unlike many children of privilege in the 1960s, he was not drawn to the rebellious style of the decade. Please enter your email and password to sign in. For years, Thornton pursued his avocation of preparing himself and others for Armageddon. Drew was a lifeguard, pharmacy tech student, pro-level gamer, volleyball player, and talented pool player. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. Once on the ground, they locate the contraband by tuning to the radio signals from the parachuted cargo. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Andrew is also survived by his grandparents, Debbie and Bill Frick, Mark Mohler, Pam and Jim Orr, Bob Thornton and Lydia Santili; great-grandparents, Xen and Janet Lemmon; aunt, Charlotte Paisley; and his uncles, Adam Mohler and Justin Thornton. The mourners, by most accounts, made up a Who's Who in Kentucky aristocracy, a crowd of lawyers, socialites and politicians. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Managed by: The 40-year-old died from the fall, and the plane, itself, later crashed into a mountain in western North Carolina. When he eventually left the Army, he became a Lexington police officer on the narcotics task force. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Thornton was one of nine Kentucky men named in that indictment, which was handed down amid hints that a larger drug-smuggling conspiracy existed. [1] He pled no contest in Fresno to a misdemeanor drug charge and the felony charges were dropped. A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on May 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Highland Andrew DeHerrera passed away peacefully on January 10, 2022 at the age of 88 at his home in Denver, Colorado surrounded by his family and friends after a short illness. Zairing describes Thornton as a loving, supportive and gentle husband. Drug smuggling was a natural transition for him. This poor, unsuspecting bear stumbled upon 88 pounds of cocaine that had been dropped by Thornton during his freefall. Robert Thornton an adventurer driven by adrenaline rushes" who became bored with being a cop. Prichard and Thornton were fellow acolytes at St. Peter's Episcopal church and car-pooled to Sayre School. During his time with the police, Thornton took night classes at the University of Kentucky College of Law, earning a law degree in 1976. Nearby cities and villages : Grenoble, Gires and Poisat. A celebration of life will be held for Drew on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 2pm at Altmeyer Funeral Home on Baltic Avenue in Virginia Beach, and will be limited to invited family and friends. With Drew gone I feel like Im missing the fun I used to have and game less often. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Valdez Sr. family. Andrew "Drew" Thornton was also detailed in a Discovery Channel double-length episode of "The FBI Files" named "Dangerous Company" in 2003. He is survived by his loving wife Cindy; children, David and Cammy Thornton, Andrew and Kate Thornton, Michael and Meghan Thornton, and Katie and Tyler VanRee; grandchildren, Kennedy, Melanie, Hailey, Claire, Brennan, Mason, Addie, Cayden, Micah, and . Thornton was an obedient child who didn't get into trouble, and he had a privileged upbringing. [2], During his tenure, he began smuggling. Thirteen floral arrangements decorated the rural cemetery, including one from the deceased's most recent girlfriend, signed, "I will always love you, Rebecca.". My heart breaks for you Andrew and your loved ones. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Our thoughts continue to be with you today and each day forward. All Rights Reserved. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Graham Cynthia Ruth Atencio, age 67, of Denver, Colorado passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. It was also a crowd of police, horse breeders and gamblers, mingling with some shadowy hangers-on. They were lifelong friends; they traveled in the same social circles and attended the Sewanee Military Academy together. He was 40 when he died. The latitude of Saint-Martin-d'Hres, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is 45.167198, and the longitude is 5.765300.Saint-Martin-d'Hres, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is located at France country in the Towns place category with the gps coordinates of 45 10' 1.9128'' N and 5 45' 55.0800'' E. He flaunted his soldier-of-fortune ideology, his professional connections, his sky-diving exploits, his macho command of weaponry and spy gadgetry. But the ill-fated flight of ex-narcotics-officer-turned-drug-smuggler Thornton, who tossed his stash overboard before leaping from the plane, was not only a true story, but also a more absurd one even by Cocaine Bear standards. [2] He took night classes at Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a degree in law enforcement in 1971. He attended a prestigious private school in his youth and joined a military academy to become a paratrooper, as reported by The Liberator. If you are a fan of Andrew Thornton, tell us more about Him Andrew Thornton Fans Also Viewed. Brown was perhaps Thornton's closest friend for many years, until he was found shot to death in his Louisville home last year -- an apparent suicide, according to a coroner's inquest. Kentucky State Police repeatedly surveilled it in response to reports of guerilla warfare training for mercenaries, though Thornon denied any such activity. Verify and try again. He made a second stab at college in 1966 but dropped out after a year. Bryant initially told police he was involved in a clandestine CIA assignment. The death that best summed up the contradictions of the sort of life Thornton led, all the philosophical and cultural reversals, was that of Harold Wade Brown, former head of the DEA office in Kentucky. You can always change this later in your Account settings. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Monday, May 1st,. Sign up for service and obituary updates. TOM THORNTON OBITUARY. Thornton was sentenced to six months in prison, fined $500, placed on probation for five years, and had his law license suspended. September 11th: The Life & Death of Andrew C. Thornton II | by Sara Reynolds | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. We have set your language to Memorials may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. What wonderful stories each shared of Drews talents, kindness and life during the service. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William "Bill" Edmon Thornton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. She was a lifelong devout member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. DEA agent Robert Brightwell, who says he worked with Thornton on narcotics investigations in the early 1970s, describes him as "an 007 paramilitary type personality . You will never be forgotten. [1] Thornton left California after pleading not guilty and was arrested as a fugitive in North Carolina, wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a pistol. There was an error deleting this problem. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Thornton trained at Fort Bragg as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Brown family. He cultivated and recruited police from around the United States. Weve updated the security on the site. This man had known Brown and Thornton for many years, had watched them go from one side of law enforcement to the other. Hey, welcome to my blog, History of Murder! In the midst of the Chattahoochie National Forest, a 175 pound black bear was found dead. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, with the burial to follow in the Hills of the Neuse Memory Gardens in Smithfield. THORNTON Thomas Andrew Thornton, born August 22, 1948 died of congestive heart failure on December 27, 2007. Anticipating a nuclear holocaust, he stockpiled paramilitary weapons, freeze-dried foods, gold coins. I know youre all beautiful people. Andrew Carter Thornton II (October 30, 1944 September 11, 1985) was an American narcotics officer and lawyer who became the head member of "The Company", a drug smuggling ring in Kentucky. His passing touched all of us deeply. The federal grand jury in Fresno investigated charges that Brown had thwarted the probe of the DC4 piloted by Thornton. He will forever be missed. Mary and Jim Horn married on May 6, 1967 settling first in Dallas and . No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Andrew Carter Thornton II was born on October 30, 1944, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. The son of Carter and Peggy Thornton of Threave Main Stud farm, he grew up in the Lexington, Kentucky, area and attended the private Sayre School and the Iroquois Polo Club. Once you find the obituary you are looking for, you can get important information about upcoming services, share a favorite photo or memory, and send flowers or gifts to the family. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Andrew was the son of Alferino and Secundina DeHerrera from Roy, New Mexico. He had become increasingly paranoid. It would take some time before authorities could piece together exactly what happened, but in its account of Thorntons dramatic death, Time magazine noted that drug smugglers were increasingly resorting to desperate measures to evade radar technology from federal authorities. Before he was found dead in the driveway at a Knoxville, Tennessee home in 1985, Lexington, Kentucky native Andrew "Drew" Thornton was an army veteran, police officer, and an attorney. How Pete Davidsons Life Inspired Bupkis, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The story also inspired the film Cocaine Bear, released in February 2023. (He later joined the Lexington law firm of an old friend, Harold Slone, but he never actually practiced law.) Some time later, in Georgia, a black bear started chowing down on more than 70 pounds container of cocaine that had also fallen from Thorntons airplane. He later transferred to Sawnee Military Academy. Others who knew him say he thrived on vengeance and murder. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 11, 2002 - A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Screenwriter Jimmy Warden told USA Today that Banks opted to simply have Thornton get accidentally knocked out while departing from the plane. Andrew Thornton Obituary. Roberts. Andrew Tyler Drew Thornton, 19, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away on August 27, 2021 at his residence. The bear, for example, simply died of an overdose in real life and did not go on a bloody, murderous rampage as in the film. He had with him survival gear, a stiletto, $4,500 in cash, six gold Krugerrands, food rations and vitamins, a compass, an altimeter, identification papers in two different names, a membership card to the Miami Jockey Club and the key to the airplane. How Thornton would have felt about his untimely death and less-than-flattering portrayal in Cocaine Bear is anybodys guess. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Cliff Pike of the tiny Episcopal church in Paris, Ky., said in his eulogy. The bear, lovingly named Pablo Eskobear (or Cocaine Bear) was taxidermied after its autopsy and sent to Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington for display, where you can still see it today! Oops, something didn't work. Parrish & Underwood Funeral Homes and Cremations. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63367160/andrew-carter-thornton. OBITUARY Annette Thornton Anderson February 15, 1935 - April 26, 2023 IN THE CARE OF Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors On April 26, 2023 Annette Thornton Anderson passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. See other industries within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector: Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services , Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services , Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services , Computer Systems Design and Related Services , Legal Services , Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services , Other . "He loved me," she says, "but he resented having a wife." [9] Thornton was also detailed in a Discovery Channel double-length episode of The FBI Files named "Dangerous Company" in 2003. Kevin was born February 2, 1962 in Kalamazoo the son of Richard and Ruth. Beautiful service. Generous Blessings be upon you all. "He believed he was an 'impeccable warrior,' " said Betty Zairing, Thornton's former wife, referring to a term penned by mystical author Carlos Castaneda. He also loved grilling chicken for folks and riding the grandkids on his lawn mower. He had served six months in prison for allegedly piloting an airplane with a half-ton of marijuana aboard from South America to Kentucky in 1979 as part of a drug- and gun-importing and distribution ring. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Harold Slone, a Lexington attorney who recently pleaded guilty to federal income tax violations and mail fraud -- an old friend and law partner of Thornton's -- was there.