Deacon James L. Thornton, age 95, of Shakopee, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn.
With hearts of gratitude for a life richly lived, we bid farewell to James Leo Thornton, Jr. of Shakopee, Minn. A beacon of faith and love, who passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Raised an only child to the son of James and Mary (Farrell) Thornton, Sr., his father a railroad conductor, and James’ journey of riding trains to Minnesota summers is where he built lifelong bonds with cousins, aunts and uncles – a tradition that forged his deep connections to family.
A man of service in every sense, in 1952 Jim served honorably in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD in education. He taught chemistry at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, retiring in 1989. Yet his greatest mission began on August 31, 1959, when he married his beloved Janice Lapka. They shared 62 years of marriage, raising five children together. During this time, James faithfully served as a Deacon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Jim’s legacy lives on as he is survived by daughters and son, Mary Kraft, Ann (Erik) Kleiner, Susan (Dennis) Ball, Catherine (Stephen) Schmid, and Michael (Trina) Thornton; 14 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, James and Mary Thornton; wife, Janice Thornton; and grandson, Evan Thornton.
Jim was a man who loved his family, friends and parishioners deeply. He prayed for us often and we now release him into God’s embrace. He will be dearly missed by all.
Visitation is Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 9:30 – 11 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., all at the Church of St. Mary, 535 Lewis Street South, Shakopee, Minn.
Services were arranged by McNearney – Schmidt Funeral & Cremation, 1220 Third Avenue East, Shakopee.