Joseph Brandon “Joey” Thornton, 39, of Vestavia Hills, passed away Jan. 1 at the home of his parents in Russellville.
Visitation will be Jan. 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 213 North Jackson Avenue, Russellville. Services will immediately follow visitation with the Rev. Patrick Martin officiating.
Joey was a native of Russellville, a 1996 graduate of Russellville High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was employed with AT&T as an IT business analyst.
Joey was an avid hunter and fisherman and shared his love of the outdoors with his father and young son. He was a member of Tishabee Swamp, a privately-owned game preserve, where he was the director of Wild Game Management. In addition, he was a faithful fan of the Crimson Tide.
He is survived by his wife, Amanda Schlapman Thornton; his son, Greyson William Thornton; parents, Larry D. Thornton and Nancy Weatherby Thornton; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ruth and William Schlapman; and his beloved bulldog Sage.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Joseph E. and Angie P. Weatherby and James R. and Joyce Alsbrooks Thornton, as well as his faithful bulldog Cooper.
Joey was a godly, devoted husband, father and son. He leaves his family with the knowledge that they were deeply loved, as was he by them.
Pallbearers include Jaime Marsh, Matt Lackey, Thomas “Tinker” Malone, Crawford Williams, Jeff Bowling, and J.P. Merrell. Honorary pallbearers will include Burke Moncus, Ralph Quinn, Daniel Porter, Stub Taylor, John Payne, Floyd Tirey and members of the Jeff Bowling Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greyson Thornton Educational Trust at First Commercial Bank, c/o Kay Norris, 800 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35209.