Gregory Louis Thornton

Gregory Louis Thornton, 67 from LaCenter, Washington died peacefully on Friday, July 21,
2023, at his home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer but was eventually succumbed
to chronic liver failure.
Greg was born in Duluth, MN on January 16, 1956, to Gerald and Bernie (Ahachich) Thornton.
He was a 1974 graduate of Hibbing High School and received his Bachelor of Business
Administration Degree with a Minor in Finance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in
1979.
Greg’s career involved owning his own appraisal business, selling heavy equipment and home
construction. His other passion was serving his community in various city government roles. He
was a member of the La Center Planning Commission which he also chaired, elected to the City
Counsel, ran and won election for Mayor in 2015 and reelected in 2019. He resigned in March
of 2023 and the City of La Center released the following statement, “he successfully led the City
of La Center through major organizational restructuring process, policy updates and staffing
changes”. Greg’s goal in his own words was, “to promote economic diversity and stability by
advancing policies which support responsible city expansion necessary to meet the needs of our
citizens. I will listen to what people say,” Greg accomplished his goals.
Greg loved spending time back in northern Minnesota with his family and friends and he will be
dearly missed by them. His laughter and quick wit always made you smile, and you knew he
was in the room by his hearty laugh.
Greg was preceded in death by his father, Gerald and mother Bernie.
Greg is survived by his wife Julie, stepdaughter Christy Knowles Hartline and siblings: Jerry
(Petra) Thornton, Carrie (Mark) Harris, Mary (Dr. Mike) Enich; brother in law Floyd (Chris)
Dugger, Bryan (Dawn) Dugger; nephews Jeremy and Jason Thornton, Max Harris, Sterling
Ulrich, Max Staples, Sean Dugger and Bryce Dugger; nieces Lindsay (Ian) Kritz, Emily (Nick
Seppala) Enich, Brooke Anna Harris, Amber Dugger, Brittay Ianneo, Dawnna Salisbury, Falishia
Bare and great nephew Callahan Kritz.
Greg’s memorial service will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, September 16,
2023, with Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m. Greg’s funeral was held in
Ridgefield, Washington on August 25, 2023, where he was laid to rest at St. Mary of Guadalupe
Mission Cemetery.