CLARA JEAN THORNTON

Clara Jean Thornton lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, June 29, 2008 in Oklahoma City. She passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side. She was a most beloved wife, mother, friend and colleague. Jean made a positive impact on every life she touched. Her spirit was unmatched and her enthusiasm contagious.

Jean is survived by her husband Don and three children; daughter Casey Thornton of Tulsa, OK; son Matt Thornton and wife Valerie of Oklahoma City; son Brant Thornton and wife Julie of Oklahoma City; granddaughter Callie Caroon and husband Joe of Broken Arrow; and great-granddaughter Sydney Kate Caroon.

Jean was born in Lubbock, but was raised in Kilgore, TX; a city that she was proud to call home. During high school, she was a drum majorette for the Kilgore Bulldog Marching Band. She graduated from Kilgore High more than a year early to begin college at Trinity University in San Antonio. Jean graduated from Trinity with a Bachelor of Science degree. Her major was Education but she also studied art and became an accomplished painter and sculptor, with many of her art pieces being displayed locally.

Returning to East Texas, she taught high school English in Overton for several years and received her Master in Education degree from Stephen F. Austin University. Jean went on to teach at both Henderson County Junior College in Athens and Texarkana College, as well as Plano Texas High School. While in Plano, she showed her versatility by teaching Special Ed and Journalism classes. Jean was proud of her education, as she was one of the first in her family to graduate from college and obtain a post-graduate degree.

Jean found her next passion as a Realtor in Oklahoma City. She obtained her Real Estate License in 1978, and subsequently her Broker¿ s License and the Graduate Realtors Institute designation in 1980. She was a Certified Residential Specialist and a few of her many accomplishments during a distinguished career include: The 1994 Realtor of the Year, Educator of the Year award, member of the Million Dollar Club in Real Estate for 20 years, OKCMAR Board of Directors in Oklahoma City and held numerous other offices with the City and State Associations of Real Estate.

While teaching Real Estate classes, Jean loved the road trips driving throughout Oklahoma teaching contract law and real estate forms in small and mid-sized towns. She spoke fondly of the many people she met and was encouraged for the future of real estate in Oklahoma with each town visit.

Jean¿s love of cooking created many stories in her life surrounding not only the meals she made at home but how she cooked for students in her classes. She was known for being a great chef and a master of fine deserts.

Jean will be truly missed by all those that knew her during her brilliant life.

Internment will be July 3, 2008 at 10:00am at Pirtle Methodist Cemetery, five miles south of Kilgore under the tabernacle.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made on her behalf to The Jean Thornton Real Estate Education Fund at all Oklahoma City area Coppermark Banks

Or mail to: Jean Thornton Real Estate Education Fund % Coppermark Bank, 3333 NW Expressway, Okc, OK 73125-0676