Gerard Thornton

1955 - 2018

THORNTON, Gerard "Roddie" "Billy Bob" Transitioned to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Gerard was born April 23, 1955 as a twin to his brother Gerald (Horse), who was always by his side. He is preceded in death by his mother, Marceline "Thornton" Wright; father, Westin Hagler; grandparents, Gerard and Emma Smith, Alease Giles & Lawrence Jentrence, Lenistine Thornton; niece, Geraldline Thornton. His four-legged children that he loved dearly, Penny, Reagon, Zeus Lee, Gemini and Athena Rose. Gerard attend Garfield and Westwood elementary schools. He attended Roosevelt High school where he was on the wrestling team for a year, the fencing team for three years and graduated in 1973. He was in the Boy Scouts where he first learned to fish. As a teen ager he worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He attended ITT Technical Institute in Cleveland, Ohio and graduate in 1975. He was an Offset Pressman at Cox Enterprises Dayton Daily News for over 38 years where he was known as "Billy Bob". Gerard was an entrepreneur, his deli "B&T" at the corner of Oakridge and Delphos, "B&T game room on West Third Street. Gerard accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior at the age of 10 at Zion Hill M.B. Church. In 2003 he transferred his membership to The Shiloh Baptist Church. In 2016, he transferred his membership to Greater St. John M.B. Church where he faithfully attended bible study and Sunday School until his health started to decline. He enjoyed reading the Bible and learning about the Lord. He kept his faith throughout his illness. Roddie had a loving and strong bond with his family. Whenever he attended the Ellington/Giles Family reunions, he always wanted to know how everyone was related. He loved to barbecue, one summer he had the family over, his granddaughter, great nieces and nephews and their friends camped out in his back yard overnight. Roddie and his great-nieces join an adult and child league where he taught them how to bowl. Sunday evening you would find him and the family either at Capri Bowling Lanes, Poelking Bowling Center and Marian Lanes where he got his greatest joy getting a 300 or having the highest score against Antwon or Gerald. He was an avid AKC Boxer breeder. Roddie loved to fish with his friends from Dayton Daily News and teaching his grandchildren, nieces and nephews how to fish. He had a heart of giving to anyone in need. He loved to travel but never took a plane. He loved all types of music, spiritual, hard rock and classical/opera music. Gerard is survived by the love of his life who he met over 38 years ago, his devoted wife Angela. One son, Gerard Antwon Arnold of Barnesville Georgia; one daughter, LaSheil (Angel) Delafuente of Houston, TX; his twin brother, Gerald (Horse) Thornton; three sisters, Beverly (John) Draper; Diane (Raymond) Adams of Dayton, OH, and Shirley Pipfen of Cleveland, OH. Four grandchildren, Destinye Arnold and Gerard Arnold II; of Dayton, OH; Julius Thornton Williams and Angelyia Delafuente of Houston, TX. Two step-sons, LaMonte Hardwick of Knoxville, Tenn. and LaVon Hardwick of Dayton OH. A mother-ln-law, Virginia Hardwick. Three sisters-in-law, Nadine Abdullah of Cincinnati, OH; Marsha Nicholas and Kimberly Hardwick, a brother-in-law, Luther "Bobby" Stephens of Dayton, OH. Two special twin nieces who he raised, Ashley and Ariana Thornton of Dayton. God-daughter, Tocarra Hogue. Two aunts, Shirley Freeman and Beverly Daniels of Dayton. Three step-grandchildren, Chase and Luke Hardwick of Knoxville, Tenn. and Malique Starr of Dallas, TX. Nieces - Letasha, Telly, Rae'Monda, Kelly, Nichole, Nikki, Retha, Zuri and LaKenya; Nephews Kevin, Raymond "Delmar", Kenneth, John "Ted", Aries, Christian, Quintin, Michael, Andre, and Demetrius; Great nieces and nephews - Darrah, Danielle, Deveney, Kenneth Jr., Keyanna, Brittany, DraShan, Darnell, Kevon, Teyana, Darrion, Da'Meara, Tocarra, David, Jasmine, Thaddeus, Danyl, Charles, Rodney, Stefan, Jazmyn, John (JD), Kross, Joshua, Aniah, Benjamin, Gabriel, Zephaniah, Elijah, Demontrae, Q'Nasha, Daniel, Ameer, Diamond, Karston, Michael Tyler and A'Shyah; Great-Great nieces and nephew Christiana, Maurice, Markeyce, Jamiya, Faith, Harmony, Kinsley, Kilynn, Xakiah and Skylar. Gerard will be truly missed by his close and dear friends; Willie Long, Connie Myrick, childhood friend Chester Finley and many other relatives and friends. He will be missed by his four-legged children (the boxers) Jupiter, Star-Child and Nugget, along with Venus the Chihuahua and a special friend Clarence, the family parrot. Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2018 at GREATER ST. JOHN MBC, 4200 Germantown Pike, with Pastor Lloyd D. Hayes, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Interment: Woodland Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home, 4520 Salem Ave. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasfunerals@aol.com