It is with profound sadness to share that my beloved father, Roland Linwood Thornton Jr., at the age of 94, went to be with our Lord on May 18, 2024.  He was surrounded by his family during his passing.

Roland was born on September 4, 1929 in Lynchburg, Virginia to Nora Louise and Roland Linwood Thornton.  After graduating high school, he joined the Air Force in 1948, where he spent the next four years until his honorable discharge in 1952 as a Staff Sergeant.  In 1955, he met the love of his life, Marjorie Rhea Sherrod, and they were married on December 17, 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Roland attended Weber College 1952; Baltimore Junior College where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering; Essex Community College 1964-65; University of Tennessee - Instrument Response Theory and Testing, continuing education at Miramar College - Computer System Analysis and Design.  His career was spent working on Nuclear Power Plants as an Electrical Engineer.  He worked for Martin Marietta in Baltimore from 1960 until 1969.  On May 8, 1969 he designed and developed the Multi-Wire Hardline Communication and Control System which is an undersea oil wellhead control system.  A patent was granted on the system in his name, U.S. Patent No. 3, 717,849 in 1973.  In 1971, he accepted a Senior Engineering position in San Diego, working for General Atomic in La Jolla, CA.  Roland moved his family from Balitmore to San Diego and bought a house in Mira Mesa when the area was initially under development.  After retiring from General Atomic in 1986, Roland consulted for a few companies working on safety controls for nuclear powerplants.

Roland was also a Judge in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair in 1977, 81.  Member of Mira Mesa Town Council 1972-74.  He enjoyed camping, sailing and woodworking.

In 1997, Roland moved to Poway and built a three story, 4800 square foot house.  He lived in the home until 2018 when he could no longer climb the steps.  He briefly moved to Charlotte, NC for a year, but decided to return to Poway in 2019 until his passing.

Roland was a member of Mira Mesa First Baptist Church, a lifetime member of the Poway VFW Post #7907, and honored in Who's Who of California.  He is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie, son David, his parents Nora and Roland Sr., and his brother Wayne Thornton.  He is survived by his sister Elaine Nason of Martha's Vineyard, MA; son Scott and his wife Elaine; grandchildren, Justin, Tyler, Danielle, Jonathan and Shawn Muscutt.  He also has four great-grandchildren.

A military service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 2:15pm.  Poway-Bernardo Mortuary is handling arrangements.  There will be a Celebration of Life to be held at Poway VFW Post #7907 at a later date.