Gerald Glenn Thorne, age 81, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away at his residence on November 20, 2023. He was born to Guy and Alice (Gore) Thorne, on December 4, 1941, in Heavener, Oklahoma. Gerald was raised in La Belle, Missouri, a small town in western Lewis County and graduated from high school in 1959. After high school, Gerald attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now the Missouri University of Science and Technology). After three semesters, he transferred to Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in accounting. He was united in marriage to Ardith Marie Meyersick on March 31, 1962, in Sutter, Illinois. The couple was blessed with three loving children: Max, Chris, and Tanya.

Gerald’s first job was in the accounting department of a major carpeting and rug company in Amboy, Illinois. Given his leadership abilities and understanding of corporate finance, the company transferred Gerald to North Carolina where he was promoted to office manager. Gerald left his management position in North Carolina to help his parents operate the Aunts Creek Resort in Kimberling City. After three years at the resort, Gerald was hired at Dayco to work on the assembly line. After ten successful years at Dayco, Gerald was hired to continue his expertise on the assembly line at Fasco Industries in Ozark. After five years of dedicated service, Gerald retired from Fasco in order to spend more quality time with his family.

Gerald was a man of many interests and talents. He was a highly regarded Intarsia woodworker who sold his art and wood puzzles at countless craft fairs across the Ozarks. Given his love of math and numbers, Gerald also enjoyed solving complicated Sudoku puzzles. When not solving puzzles or creating art, Gerald liked to fish, watch professional football, and tennis. He was an avid Lady Bears fan who liked to watch as many games as possible, especially alongside his wife. He enjoyed country and bluegrass music, in particular, his favorite group, Southern Raised. Gerald always enjoyed his many trips to Louisianna where he loved to eat crawfish. He will be remembered as caring and devoted family man with a great sense of humor and a strong spirit of gratitude. Gerald enjoyed his life and never complained about anyone or anything. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Alice Thorne. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ardith Thorne; son, Max Thorne and wife, Glenda; daughter, Chris Carnahan; daughter, Tanya Kitchen and husband, Dennis; grandson, Bradley Stoecker and wife, Patty; grandson, Jonathon Stoecker; grandson, John Thorne and wife, Dani; granddaughter, Brianna Morwood and husband, Garrett; nine great grandchildren; and many friends.

A funeral service for Gerald Glenn Thorne will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 10:00 am, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. Gerald will be laid to rest next to family in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. A visitation will not be scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Gerald’s memory to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org).