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Carl Lee Thornton, Jr.

Posted By Kyle Nikola On May 12, 2020 @ 10:16 pm In Obituaries | 7 Comments

Carl Lee Thornton, Jr., passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Savannah, Georgia. He was 67 years old.

Born in Dover, DE, on December 26, 1952, Carl was raised in Henderson, Caroline County, on a farm on Bee Tree Road that his grandparents purchased on their arrival from Hungary. He was very proud of his Henderson roots and the family and friends he had there.

Carl graduated from North Caroline High School in 1970. He was a member of the undefeated State Championship North Caroline Bulldogs football team, and enjoyed reminiscing about those days with former teammates and friends.

Carl wore many hats throughout his life. He worked as the Caroline County Planning and Zoning Administrator until he eventually left the public sector to work for Provident State Bank in Denton. Carl and his then–wife Linda (Uber) ran McConnell’s Fun Food until 1996.

Carl enjoyed all the Eastern Shore had to offer, especially the waters (and the seafood!) of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. He worked hard to attain his USCG 100–tonnage Captain’s license. After years as the captain of The Patriot in St. Michaels, MD, Carl felt the pull of the warmer weather in Savannah, Georgia, where he relocated in 2010. While living in Savannah with his wife Jillisa, Carl worked as the Riverboat Captain for Savannah Riverboat Cruises, Inc. Carl played many roles on the riverboat – captain, wedding officiant, and tour narrator. Carl’s favorite task was one he was charged with each year – delivering Santa Claus to Savannah. He loved seeing the joy of each child’s face as they sat on his lap and listed their Christmas wishes. He would belt out his best “ho, ho, ho!” and laugh with each child.

Carl is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jillisa Thornton, his brother Thomas Thornton (Virginia); his children R. Brian Thornton (Julie), Kimberly Thornton Miller (Christopher); Matthew Coenen, and Melissa Lantz (Steve); his grandchildren Clara Thornton (Shane Scharf), Andrew Miller, and Davis Miller; his nieces Tammy Uber and Lilian Thornton and his nephews Zachary Truscello, Benjamin Truscello, Timothy Uber, and Matthew Thornton; and his great–grandson Aiden Christopher Scharf. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl Lee, Sr., and Helen B. Thornton and his grandson Christopher Brian Thornton.

A memorial service in Savannah and on the Eastern Shore will be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a contribution may do so in Carl’s name to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah 7215 Sallie Mood Dr. Savannah, GA 31406, humanesocietysav.org.

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Condolences for the family of “Carl Lee Thornton, Jr.”

Condolence from Michael Reese on May 13th, 2020 2:29 pm

I worked with Carl on so many nights. My wife Debi did also. He made playing music and entertaining a wonderful part of
Our lives. I will miss him so much. My prayers are up for his
sweet wife, his whole family.
When you have His memorial
service Debi and I would so like
to be there. If it is possible I would like to play some music
for him.
My email is [email protected].
My phone is 913-247-4162.
Wish I could hear him say again
It’s Mike “The Tinman “ on the
1st deck tonight.
So many memories of Wonderful
Cruise’s on 3 different Boats.
He will be missed.

Condolence from Dave Lane on May 13th, 2020 2:51 pm

First off condolences to the Thornton family for your loss. 2 days before Carl’s passing we spoke on the phone for quite a while just catching up and cuttin up. Who would have known it was going to be our last conversation. Goodbye old friend.

Condolence from Carl Salacuse on May 13th, 2020 5:53 pm

Such a nice man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condolence from Carl Salacuse on May 13th, 2020 5:57 pm

I worked with Captain Carl as a bartender on the riverboat. He would always introduce me as his twin brother Carl because we were same age and carried the same name. I always enjoyed working with him.
My thoughts and prayers to his family
RIP Captain.

Condolence from Stormy Rewcastle and Buddy Price on May 14th, 2020 6:08 am

Dear sweet Jillisa-
The news of Carl’s passing is so heartbreaking. What a wonderful husband, friend, and father. I will always remember his beautiful smile and friendly wave when he got home in the evenings from cruising the river. We enjoyed being your neighbors so much. I will never forget him eating shrimp at my table with the peels still on! What a guy. He will be missed forever.
Love,
Stormy and Buddy

Condolence from Allison Tinnel on May 14th, 2020 7:35 pm

I’m in shock. The world lost a wonderful man when he gained his angel wings. I will always remember him with his kindness, he always had a smile on his face and always knew just the right thing to say when you were feeling down or needed advice. A teddy bear with a heart of gold.

Condolence from Daniel Lynch on May 20th, 2020 3:41 pm

Capt. Dan Lynch
May 19, 2020

I was shocked to hear of Capt. Carl’s passing. We ran boats together on the Chesapeake Bay for many years. I have many memories of Carl, and am very glad l got to see him again in 2013 when Mary and l traveled up to Savannah for a few days. He will be greatly missed by many people.
Blessings,
Capt. Dan

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