Harold Thornton COSS Jr.

A life that touches so many...
Hal was an inspiration to me and many others. I worked at Saguaro National Park as a seasonal ranger-naturalist and later when my husband, Ed, and I worked as fire lookouts in the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National Park. Hal was one of the few people who would hike all the way to the fire lookout to visit us. His adventuresome spirit and knowledge helped us to appreciate and treasure the Sonoran Desert that he loved. We have been so fortunate to know...

I knew Hal through his wife Mary. When Mary passed, Hal would come to my store where we would talk for hours. He told me about his travels around the world, he loved telling me about his walkabout. We talked about guns, which one I should get. We talked a lot about Mary, how much he missed her, about Clare and Billy. Hal was a wonderful man and I will surely miss him so much. I love you and I know that you are happy now. And, I hope, for Clare and Billy, that you find peace and love each...

I'm sorry for your loss. May Proverbs 17:17 prove true for you, with loving family and friends to help make your grief more bearable.

I knew Hal because of his many contributions to Saguaro National Park, where I worked for 20 years. He was an inspiration to all of us, and I continued to communicate with him, even after I retired five years ago. He was ahead of his time in perceiving the threats that would face Saguaro, and his legacy of photos, interpretive trails and signs, and scientific studies is still valuable to today's park managers and visitors. My thoughts go out to Hal's family and friends. Please know that the...

Hal was an inspiration to many of us at Saguaro National Park for years. His contributions to our park were many, and he was always eager to share his deep knowledge of the park's natural history with others. He was a true student and devotee of the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands. We will miss Hal tremendously, but his great work here will live on.