Bradley R. Thornton
April 22, 1953 – August 10, 2024
Bradley Rae Thornton, known to friends and family as Brad, passed away peacefully at home in Kent, WA in the presence of his loving family. He was 71. For over 20 years Brad fought a gallant battle against prostate cancer with humor and dignity.
Brad was born in Seattle, WA to parents George William Thornton and Bernice (Maron) Thornton. Brad grew up in Seattle and graduated from Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle and attended Renton Technical College.
While in high school Brad assisted his grandfather Alger with his home construction business. Throughout his lifetime, Brad retained many of the skills learned at an early age. There were few things Brad could not fix with his hands and strategic mindset.
After finishing high school, Brad joined the Navy during the Vietnam conflict. He was a shipmate on the USS Enhance (MSO-437); an Aggressive-class minesweeper that removed submerged mines to ensure the safe passage of ships.
In 1974, Brad married Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Mitchell. They were married 22 years and had two sons Nathan and Matthew. Brad was active in helping with his sons’ Cub Scout and Boys Scout troops and coached their little league baseball teams. One year, Brad and Nathan traveled to Tijuana, Mexico with Habitat for Humanity, along with their church, Cross & Crown Lutheran in Renton, WA.
Brad had an adventurous 37-plus year career with Boeing, as an airplane electrician. If problems arose concerning noise or vibrations, he traveled as a team member throughout the world to address the issues.
In 2004, Brad married Allyson Leavitt in Hawaii. They enjoyed visiting the Hawaiian Islands on numerous occasions and taking winter golf vacations in Arizona. In addition, they boated on Washington lakes and numerous lakes in Northern Idaho. They also belonged to two golf leagues and were active in dance clubs.
For the last 15 years of Brad’s life, he enjoyed living part time in Birch Bay, WA with its sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets, crabbing, boating and spending time with his friends and dogs at the Bay Rim Condominium’s private beach.
Brad was preceded in death by his grandmother Hilda Hughes (who fled Ukraine at a young age of 7) and her husband Alger Hughes. Also, Uncle Raymond and Opal Maron, his mother-in-law Hilda Leavitt and his beloved dogs Kody, Abbey and Greta.
Brad is survived by his wife Allyson “Ally” Leavitt, his former wife Liz Edmonds (Dennis) and their two sons Nathan Thornton (Heather) and Matthew Thornton, his sister Debbie Lamoree, two grandchildren Nolan and Jorge Bradley “JB” Thornton, niece Shawna (Greg) Garcia and nephew Shane (Tasha) Lamoree; father-in-law Al Leavitt, sisters-in-law Jennifer (Jim) Kollar and Elizabeth Kollar and brother-in-law Lawrence Leavitt; and numerous other nieces, nephews and friends.
Brad’s family would like to offer many thanks to the medical staff at Fred Hutchinson and Evergreen Hospice Care for the excellent and compassionate care given to Brad.
