Timothy Dean Thornton

Timothy Dean Thornton, 59, of Cary, Illinois, passed away on August 27, 2024 after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. From a double lung transplant in 2019 to a bone marrow transplant in 2023, Tim met his complex medical journey with optimism, hope and a heart full of faith. He pushed hard to beat the odds through each challenge with strength and fortitude, surrounded by a loving and supportive network of family, friends and community. The family is forever grateful to the incredible teams at Loyola Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, and Northwestern Medicine for their exceptional care.

Born on July 24, 1965, to James and Carolyn Thornton in Davenport, Iowa, Tim's early years were filled with fun growing up in the Hazelwood subdivision outside Geneseo, Illinois. Hazelwood was a magical place, brimming with the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifelong friends. After graduating from J.D. Darnall High School, Geneseo in 1983, Tim went on to study at Illinois State University.

Tim's professional life began as an overnight aircraft cleaner, which launched a 25-year career in the airline industry at America West Airlines, Frontier then Virgin America. Through his work, he met great people as he lived across Phoenix, Sacramento, Sun Valley, San Francisco, Moline, St. Louis, and Denver. He learned the value and impact of every role and person in a company, which he’d take with him as he transitioned to a career in technology in Chicago (Grubhub & PayPal/Venmo/Braintree). He cherished every new opportunity, not just for the professional growth, but for the chance to meet new people, hear their stories, and support them.

Tim was a man of many passions. He loved boating, racquetball, skiing, wakeboarding, hiking in the mountains, and traveling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He shared a great enthusiasm for life and adventure with those around him. He met the love of his life, Malea, in Denver in 1993. Together, they built a beautiful family with their children (Daniel, Lexi, and Nicholas). Tim’s life was filled with joy, laughter and a genuine passion for inspiring and guiding loved ones, friends and colleagues.

Tim is preceded in death by his son Nicholas Thornton (2005), his mother Carolyn Thornton, and his grandparents Robert and Hazel Pettit, and B.E. and Vivian Thornton. He is survived by his loving wife Malea; son Daniel (Heather) Corrie and granddaughter Cienna of Colorado; daughter Lexi Thornton (Lukas Kerstein) of Chicago; father James Thornton Sr.; sister Julie Remkus; brothers Tom (Nikki) Thornton and James (Beverly) Thornton Jr.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. 

A memorial visitation and service will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 10am until a service at 11am, followed by a luncheon and open-mic opportunity to share stories at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake. The service will also be live-streamed for friends and family – at https://www.youtube.com/live/wj3whF8Phoc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Respiratory Health Association or to Children’s Hospital Colorado ...organizations the family cares deeply about. They also encourage those who qualify to donate blood in honor of Tim and others who have benefited from blood transfusions.

Let's remember Tim for his bright spirit and the love he shared with everyone he met. His legacy of positivity, strength, and caring will continue to be with us all.