Dennis Martin Thorne of American Fork, UT – our dear husband, father, grandfather and brother – returned to his Heavenly home on May 5, 2018. Dennis was born June 7, 1952 in Pasco, WA to Ralph and Vivian Thorne. He was the third of four children.
Dennis lived most of his life in Pasco, WA before moving to American Fork in 2015. Dennis met the love of his life, Marele Herron, at McLoughlin Junior High when they were just 14. They were married Dec 19, 1970 in Pasco and in 1977 were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS temple for time and all eternity.
When he was just 19 years old, he entered the United States Navy and was stationed at the Alameda Naval Base, before being deployed to serve aboard the USS Midway in Vietnam in March 1972. He attended Chabot Community College, Brigham Young University and Gonzaga Law School. Dennis was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent his life devoted to the things that mattered most to him…family, faith, fishing and freedom.
He loved his loyal, four-legged companion and fishing partner “Cappy”. He also had a great love of sports, playing college and semi-professional baseball in his 20’s; coaching youth basketball in his 30’s; and refereeing and umpiring throughout much of his adult life. For many years, alongside other members of his family, he operated Kennewick Transfer Moving & Storage.
This past year, Dennis was also honored to serve his country in the Orem American Legion Honor Guard. Dennis is survived by his wife Marele and their six children: Tommy (Richelle) of TX, Kamille (Jared) of UT, Kimberly (Jon) of UT, Lucas of WA, Marissa (Phil) of UT, Nicholas (Brigitte) of IN, his brother Scott (Joan) of WA, sister Nancy of WA, and 21 of his treasured grandchildren. Dennis spent the last week of his life in Indianapolis, where he was privileged to participate in the blessing of his newest grandchild and namesake, Jax Dennis Thorne.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Vivian, his infant sister MaryAnn, and his grandson Levi Thorne. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork 37th Ward chapel, 1100 E. 396 N., American Fork, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30-10:45 am.
Interment will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, Bluffdale, UT. If you would like, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.
olpinmortuary.com. Donations may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville FL 32256 Tel: 1-877-832-6997 Web: www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
