Roger James Thornburg, age 67 passed away March 2, 2019 at his home surrounded by many family members who loved him deeply. Roger was the eldest son of three children born to Jim and Jenny (Redman) Thornburg of Wadesville. Roger was a 1969 graduate of North Posey High School, where he excelled in football and baseball.
Roger was an All-Conference Football player known for his offensive running where he was named to the All Southern Indiana Scoring Leaders Team, he was also named best line-backer in the conference on defense. He was an outstanding baseball-player, who could lose a hard ball with a wooden bat. Roger and his brother Randy traveled with the United States Arm Wrestlers for many years where he and his brother were 6 time Indiana State Champs in the American Arm-Wrestling Association and finished 2nd in the World in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1977 and many more titles.
Roger was a Vietnam War Era Navy Veteran serving aboard the USS Wasp CVS-18 in the 7th Fleet after graduating from high school. He was a member of VFW Post 1114. He owned and operated a very successful business Thornburg’s Tavern & Catering for over twenty years working with his sister Dana Thornburg.
Roger never met a stranger and his generosity was only exceeded by his love for humanity. He had a passion for helping people and did so his entire time on this earth. Roger was a head-strong passionate individual who did things his way and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his father James W. Thornburg, his mother Jenny L. Thornburg, and brother-in-law Stephen W. Jarvis. Roger is survived by his three loving daughters who cared for him around the clock the last two months of his life, Jenny L. Wiggins (Darrick), Joi L. Rye (Donnie), and Janice I. Stewart (Alex), brother Randy Thornburg, and sister Dana Thornburg, four nephews which were like sons to him, Chad Thornburg, Damian Thornburg, Chance Jarvis and Austin Thornburg, seven grandchildren, Johnathon Rye, Jerod Rye, Joshua Wiggins, Alex Stewart, Kyle Stewart, Lindsey Rye, and Jaxon Wiggins, two great grandchildren Camden and Hayden Rye, and one great nephew, Beckham Thornburg. Funeral services for Roger will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, Pastor Mark Tabor officiating.
Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Wadesville. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Pierre Funeral Home, where there will be a memorial service conducted at 7:00 PM. Friends may also visit with the family from 9:00 AM until service time on Friday at the funeral home.
There will also be a bereavement dinner gathering following the funeral at Silver Bell Restaurant in St. Wendel. Those who wish to contribute to the dinner should call Silver Bell Restaurant. Condolences may be made online at www.
pierrefuneralhome.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Roger J Thornburg please visit our Sympathy Store.
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