James Thomas Thornton, 85, of Zelienople died on Friday at the Passavant Retirement Community, Zelienople.

He was born July 2, 1926, in Pittsburgh to the late James and Theresa (Kaufman) Thornton.

Mr. Thornton retired from Crum and Forster Insurance Group. He was a member and elder of the Parkwood United Presbyterian Church in Allison Park.

Mr. Thornton was a U.S. Navy Veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace (Ferguson) Thornton of Zelienople; two sons, the Rev. Thomas (Denise) Thornton of Surfside Beach, S.C., and the Rev. Dr. James W. Thornton of Cheltenham, Pa.; one daughter, Gayle (Don) Speicher of Ross Township; and nine grandchildren.

<B>THORNTON</B> — Visitation for James Thomas Thornton, who died Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Herbert R. King Jr. Funeral Home</B>, 2841 Woodland Circle, Allison Park.Additional visitation will be on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at the Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park.Memorial donations may be sent to The Passavant Benevolent Fund, 401 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063 or The Alzheimers Association, 100 W. Station Sq. Dr., Pittsburgh, PA.Visit www.kingfuneralhome.com for online condolences and directions.