Dr. John N. Thornburg

Dr. John N. Thornburg, Ottawa, KS passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at the age of 96. John was born September 30, 1923, in Lawrence, KS, to Ruby Marian (Reed) and Neil Thomas Thornburg. John married Mary Lillian Martin on June 18, 1948 in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death. John will be missed by his four children: Joyce Cramer of Leawood, KS, Donna Buckingham of Leawood, KS, John T. Thornburg of Lawrence, KS and Marilee (Mike) Skidmore of Ottawa, KS; seven grandchildren: Barbara (Jim) Dorothy of Lenexa, KS, Janet (Dennis) Hammer of Olathe, KS, Ali (Doug) Slocum of Loveland, CO, John Buckingham of Irvine, CA, Jason Skidmore of Dallas, TX, Melissa (Samuel) Matthias of Salem, OR, and Garrett Skidmore of Kansas City, MO; six great grandchildren: Sarah Hammer of Olathe, KS, Will Hammer of Shawnee, KS, Jack Ellena of Loveland, CO, Emma Matthias, Leo Matthias and baby girl Matthias all of Salem, OR; sister-in-law, Beverly Thornburg of Little Rock, AR; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Mary; his parents; stepmother, Syreta Forrester; and his four younger brothers. John was raised in Kansas City, MO, graduating from Central High School with the class of 1940. He attended Kansas City Junior College before enlisting in the Army. He was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) and completed just six weeks of the Basic Engineering Program before being sent to the European theater. He served as a scout with Co. L. 394th Infantry, 99th Division. John was taken prisoner in December of 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, and held in Stalag IV-B near Muhlberg, Germany. After the Soviets took charge of the camp, John escaped on a bicycle. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945, having achieved the rank of Corporal. After the war, John returned to Kansas City where he graduated from the UMKC School of Dentistry in 1950. He practiced in Ottawa from the early 50’s until his retirement in the early 90’s. Many Ottawans recall seeing Dr. John on his daily walks to and from his office on Eleventh Street. John was a voracious reader, an avid bridge player, and a hobby farmer. He took an early interest in home computers and shared his knowledge and equipment with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially taking them out to eat. John liked helping others, and he thought people were the most interesting part of life. John was honored to pledge his body to KU’s Willed Body Program for study. At his request, there will be no services.