John Clarence Thorn

John "J.C." Clarence Thorn, Jr. August 30, 1924-February 18, 2010 John passed away peacefully at Riverwest Retirement Home in Wenatchee, WA. John, the fifth of six children was born in Traskwood, Arkansas, to Winnie Ann (Allen) and John Clarence Thorn. As a child he and the family moved to Locust Grove, Arkansas, where he attended schools in Locust Grove and Desha. During World War II and in his senior year he enlisted in the US Navy on June 5, 1943. He was a radioman second class trained in radio operating at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and in submarine contact in Miami, Florida. He served in the Pacific on the USS PC 1142 and was discharged in December, 1945. Shortly after returning to Arkansas, he traveled to the Wenatchee Valley to work. He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Mae Massey. The Wenatchee Daily World in 1946 wrote, "The single ring ceremony, beautiful in its simplicity, (w)as performed by Ralph Ramakin, justice of the peace, Saturday morning, July 27, at 9:30 o'clock in East Wenatchee, Washington." In the next year they returned for a short time to Arkansas where they ran a store and farmed cotton and their daughter was born in September of 1947. Returning to the Wenatchee Valley, their son was born in October, 1949. They have lived in Orondo, Cashmere, Entiat, Sunnyslope, and East Wenatchee. John worked for MacArthur Ranch in Entiat, Alcoa, Gensinger Orchards, Homer Trefry Orchards, Stark Brothers Nursery Company, Greater Wenatchee Development where he developed over 600 acres of orchard and Brays Landing another 600 acres. He owned and operated orchards in Sunnyslope, in the area surrounding Pangborn Memorial Airport and owned a well-drilling rig for a short time. He was known by his extended family and friends for his generosity, hard work, sense of humor and beautiful peaches he raised and shared and that still grow in the backyard of the family home. John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Francis Thorn and Allen "Jack" Thorn; three sisters, Estelle Rush, Mildred Whitman, and Helen Merrill Boden. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, children, Darcy Lees and Larry Thorn, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Nephews who lived with the family for a time were Steve Merrill, Gene Merrill, and Darrel Massey. A traditional service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

John Clarence Thorn

August 30, 1924 - February 18, 2010