Celebrating the life of
Rex Thorne
January 21, 1926 - April 01, 2011
Rex Thorne, 85, died Friday, April 1, 2011 in Savannah. Rex was born in Huntington, IN on January 21, 1926 the son of the late Floyd Emerson and Lucille Harvey Thorne. He was graduated from Huntington High School in 1943. After serving in the US Navy aboard the Destroyer Escort ship USS Heyliger, he was graduated from Purdue University in 1950 with a chemical engineering degree.
His 42 year career with Union Camp now International Paper began in the lab and took him through several plant managerial positions where finally he retired as Corporate Director for Environmental Affairs. His Union Camp career led him to the following cities: Chicago, IL, Greensboro, NC, New York City, NY, Trenton, NJ, Monroe, MI, and Savannah, GA.
Rex was active in many civic activities: Kiwanis in Greensboro President, current member of DESA and past director, member of the Skidaway Island Republican Club, current member since 1978 and past president of the Rotary Club Savannah West, most recently serving on the Safe Shelter board, and the Executive Board of Coastal Empire Boy Scouts. He was noted for his fund-raising activities for Safe Shelter and the Boy Scouts and admired for his business skills in aiding these non-profit organizations. For many years, he organized the Salvation Army bell ringers for his Rotary Club and Skidaway Island United Methodist Church at the Oglethorpe Mall. He and his wife Ruth were also very supportive of the GRSP -- the Rotary Club's exchange student program.
Rex loved his church and his church family. As Charter members of the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, Rex and Ruth were instrumental in the founding of the church. He was the current president of the Thorne Sunday School class.
Rex was preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa M. Thorne. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Ruth Thorne; daughter, Susan W. Gore and husband Stephen of Savannah; sons, Bill Thorne of Washington, DC and David W. Thorne of Savannah; grandchildren, Lee Warren and David Gore and a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorial Visitation: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, please designate your contribution to be forwarded to the Safe Shelter or the Coastal Empire Boy Scouts.
Rex was a fine Christian man who I enjoyed working with at the Savannah Mill and SIUMC for many years. He will be missed. My prayers are with you and the family.
- Harry Leavengood, Greenville, SC
During my 47+ years with Union Camp and IP, I met Rex on many occasions. While not a personal friend, I always had the utmost respect for him. He was a fine man. My blessings to his family. Bill
- Bill Johnson, Lafayette, LA
David, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I send my most sincere condolences to you and your family.
- Amy Ciucevich, Atlanta, GA
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
- Jay Hall, Savannah, GA
Ruth- I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Rex and I served together on the SAFE Shelter Board during the construction. He was a doer and one who never accepted mediocrity. I always think of him during any fundraising activity as Rex's belief was, 'People give to people-we just need to ask'. My thoughts are with you duirng this time and know that Rex was cherished by many for his giving, selfless passion for others less fortunate.
- Lisa Dean, Savannah, GA
Rex and I worked together at Union Camp. He was a fine man and will be missed.
- Lee Thompson, Savannah, Ga, GA
Ruth We are so very for your loss and offer prayers and sincere condolensences. We really enjoyed our DESA visits with you both. Sincerely Bob & Blanche Strauch
- Robert & Blanche Strauch, Warner Robins, GA
My heart goes out to His wife, Ruth and his family
- Doris Gravdahl, Savannah, GA
Dear Ruth and Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I served with Rex in Scouting for the last 6 years, and appreciated his gentle wisdom and insight, enthusiasm for the organization, and personal friendship he offered. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. I am sorry I am not able to be at the services to honor him in person, as I am out of town. Best Personal Regards, Vernon Buchman
- Vernon & Rebecca Buchman, Savannah, GA
Rex was a very close friend for many years.I worked with him in Highland NC and I followd him as Resident manager of our Monroe Mill, Box Plant and Solid Fibre operations. Rex and his family were our neighbors in Toledo Ohio He lived as a fine example of a Christion life and contributed a great deal both professionslly and socially. He maintained the higest personal standards throughout his life and He will be greatly missed by a lot of people. My Thoughts and prayers go out to Ruth and Family. Earl Redman
- Earl Redman, Brunswick, ME
Our Prayers are with you Ruth. Larry and Dell Thorn Janet and Paul Manuel Sandra and Wayne Mietzner Pam Smith Allen and Kammi Thorn
- Sandra Thorn/Mietzner, Benbrook, TX
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro
- Betty Ann Di Silvestro, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. We will be praying for your family. Chuck & Kathy Moore
- Chuck & Kathy Moore, Savannah, GA
My prayers are with you all.
- Kim Rutledge, ,
Rex was a fine Christian man who I enjoyed working with at the Savannah Mill and SIUMC for many years. He will be missed. My prayers are with you and the family.
- Harry Leavengood, Greenville, SC
During my 47+ years with Union Camp and IP, I met Rex on many occasions. While not a personal friend, I always had the utmost respect for him. He was a fine man. My blessings to his family. Bill
- Bill Johnson, Lafayette, LA
David, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I send my most sincere condolences to you and your family.
- Amy Ciucevich, Atlanta, GA
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
- Jay Hall, Savannah, GA
Ruth- I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Rex and I served together on the SAFE Shelter Board during the construction. He was a doer and one who never accepted mediocrity. I always think of him during any fundraising activity as Rex's belief was, 'People give to people-we just need to ask'. My thoughts are with you duirng this time and know that Rex was cherished by many for his giving, selfless passion for others less fortunate.
- Lisa Dean, Savannah, GA
Rex and I worked together at Union Camp. He was a fine man and will be missed.
- Lee Thompson, Savannah, Ga, GA
Ruth We are so very for your loss and offer prayers and sincere condolensences. We really enjoyed our DESA visits with you both. Sincerely Bob & Blanche Strauch
- Robert & Blanche Strauch, Warner Robins, GA
My heart goes out to His wife, Ruth and his family
- Doris Gravdahl, Savannah, GA
Dear Ruth and Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I served with Rex in Scouting for the last 6 years, and appreciated his gentle wisdom and insight, enthusiasm for the organization, and personal friendship he offered. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. I am sorry I am not able to be at the services to honor him in person, as I am out of town. Best Personal Regards, Vernon Buchman
- Vernon & Rebecca Buchman, Savannah, GA
Rex was a very close friend for many years.I worked with him in Highland NC and I followd him as Resident manager of our Monroe Mill, Box Plant and Solid Fibre operations. Rex and his family were our neighbors in Toledo Ohio He lived as a fine example of a Christion life and contributed a great deal both professionslly and socially. He maintained the higest personal standards throughout his life and He will be greatly missed by a lot of people. My Thoughts and prayers go out to Ruth and Family. Earl Redman
- Earl Redman, Brunswick, ME
Our Prayers are with you Ruth. Larry and Dell Thorn Janet and Paul Manuel Sandra and Wayne Mietzner Pam Smith Allen and Kammi Thorn
- Sandra Thorn/Mietzner, Benbrook, TX
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro
- Betty Ann Di Silvestro, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. We will be praying for your family. Chuck & Kathy Moore
- Chuck & Kathy Moore, Savannah, GA
My prayers are with you all.
- Kim Rutledge, ,
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
