Johnny Lee Thornley

Johnny Lee Thornley, age 90, passed away on December 11, 2025, in Allen, Texas.

Johnny was born July 22, 1935, in Soper, Oklahoma. He was an avid outdoorsman, lived a long and meaningful life shaped by his adventurous spirit, generous heart, hard-working nature, and kind demeanor. He was known for his steady presence, strong values, love of learning, and the quiet way he cared for those around him. Upon his retirement, he and Barbara put everything in storage and began a journey of living and traveling in an RV. It was during this time that they met and made many lifelong friendships that centered around playing games, fishing for salmon, crabbing, golfing, Ultralight and Gyrocopter aircraft flying, ATVing, and numerous other outdoor adventures. Johnny could always be found with several highlighters and pens when he was reading. A forever learner, you couldn’t pick up a book of his without it being all marked up! He was always willing to help anyone with anything that needed to be fixed in the numerous RV parks he and Barbara spent time in, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him. He was affectionately named Paw Paw by his oldest grandchild, a title he held with immense pride. If he wasn’t teaching the grandkids about different trees, specifically, Ponderosa Pines, he was helping them cast a fishing line or guiding them through the dunes on an ATV in Winchester Bay, Oregon. He also believed that most things could be fixed with some good tape!

Johnny graduated from Andrews High School in Andrews, Texas, in 1954. Upon graduation, he received a basketball scholarship to Odessa Junior College, where he played for two years. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for two years. After his military service, Johnny worked in the oil fields of Andrews County, Texas, which led to the adventure of a lifetime: living and working in the oil industry in the Middle East for 21 years. He worked for Intairdril in Libya and Iran, later for The Pool Company in Saudi Arabia after they acquired Intairdril, and finished his career in 1993 in Harvey, Louisiana.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara (DeLay) Thornley; his son and daughter-in-law, Dimitri and Krista Thornley of Allen, Texas; his three grandchildren, Dallas Thornley of Allen, Texas; Tate Thornley of Frisco, Texas; and AnnieGrace Thornley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his brother and sister-in-law, Leo D. Jr. and Betty Thornley; and the widow of his late brother, Linda Thornley of Alvin, Texas, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews in Oregon, Texas and Oklahoma and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Vaudeen (Herman) Thornley of Livingston, Texas; and his brothers, Gary Thornley of Alvin, Texas, and Roy Thornley and his wife Lota of Ladson, South Carolina.

Johnny’s cremains will be buried in Yale, Oklahoma at a small graveside service sometime after the holidays.

Johnny will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing his adventurous, generous, hard-working, and kind spirit.