Charles Huntington Thornton

On June 24, 2019 at the age of 93 years old, Mr. Charles Huntington Thornton, of Richmond, Virginia went to be with the Lord our God into eternal peace at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital. Mr. Thornton was born on October 17, 1925 in Richmond, Virginia. He was one of six children born of the late James Henry Thornton and Nannie Johnson Thornton. In November of 1943 at the age of 18, he entered into the United States Army and served in Company G, 372nd Colored Infantry Regiment. He was among thousands of African American soldiers who served in the army during World War II. He was a recipient of the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Private First Class Thornton served honorably until he was discharged in March of 1946. Mr. Thornton returned to Richmond, Virginia where he met Rosetter Swinton and on September the 28th 1946 they were married. Together, they were blessed with three children; Charles Jr., Carolyn and Jackie. Mr. Thornton was an entrepreneur who in the 1960s, became one of the first Black plumbers to be certified in the City of Richmond Virginia. He started his own business and for over 50 years, until his retirement, he was the successful owner of C. H. Thornton Plumbing & Heating Company. In 1974 he served as the Convention Chairman for the predominantly-black Eastern Seaboard Plumbing and Heating Association with over 100 members. In 1978, he hired a women, a former key punch operator in apprenticeship and she become the first female Master's License Plumber in Virginia. Both of these accomplishments were published in the Afro-American Weekly newspaper. Mr. Charles Huntington Thornton is preceded in death by his parents, James H. Thornton, Sr. and Nannie J. Thornton; his wife, Louise Dowling Thornton; his two brothers, James H. Thornton, Jr. and Bruce P. Thornton; his three sisters, Hilda Hobson, Helen Eberhardt and Nannie Ross; his son, Jackie L. Thornton; and his two grandsons, Terry A. Thornton and Mikael D. Thornton. He leaves behind to cherish his memory Ms. Rosetter S. Thornton, Oliver Swinton, Charles Thornton, Jr., Carolyn Thornton Judon; daughters-in-law, Veronica Swinton, Eartha Arvin-Thornton and Alvina Thornton; grandsons, Antonio Thornton, Derrick Thornton, NMichael Maxey, Jr., William Judon, Joshua Thornton, and Gabriel Thornton; granddaughters, Shanne Thornton Stapleton, Shalynn Swinton, Shanna Thornton and Shalisha Thornton, a host of great grandchildren and other beloved family members and friends.

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Charles Huntington Thornton

October 17, 1925 - June 25, 2019