James Robert "Jim" Thorne

James (Jim) Robert Thorne of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Earlene Brannon Thorne; his son, Stephen Thorne and wife Tracy; daughter, Traci Blalock and husband Travis; his grandchildren, Payton and Jax Blalock and Wynn, Ryan, Grayson and Rex Thorne; sister-in-law, Rosella Thorne; nieces, Shawn Thorne Gray and Lori Butler and nephews, Mark Thorne and Scott Butler.

He is preceded in death by his parents Rex and Leona Thorne; brother Carl Thorne; mother-in-law Mary Nae McCartney; and sister-in-law Vena Day.

He was born in Luling, Texas, on August 17, 1942, and graduated from high school in Bay City, Texas. He attended Southwest Texas State University briefly before joining the Army. Upon enlisting, he was stationed overseas in Korea and eventually was deployed as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, where his call sign was Bandit 36. He was in Flight Class 67-11 (Yellow Hats) and received the Distinguished Flying Cross (3), Bronze Star with Valor (2), Purple Heart (2) and many other military honors from his tour in Vietnam.

Upon returning from Vietnam, he attended Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in Aviation Management and met his wife Earlene. They moved to Killeen, Texas, in 1970, where he was stationed under General Robert M. Shoemaker at Fort Hood and attended Baylor Law School. After graduating from law school, he moved his family to Pleasanton, Texas, and started Thorne and Peeler law firm. He had a successful career in law, oil, real estate and cattle investing before retiring and moving to Horseshoe Bay, Texas, in 2001.

While he missed his friends in Pleasanton, he was blessed to meet new friends who loved to travel together, spend nights on the lake solving the world's problems and attend concerts at the Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg. He also remained friends with his "The Learned Hand" law school buddies and looked forward to their meeting each year to reminisce. When he wasn't in Horseshoe Bay or traveling, he spent time at his home in Angel Fire, New Mexico. He loved flying friends and family in his plane back and forth to ski and boat on the lake.

In 1999, he earned the title of world Shovel Racing Champion in Angel Fire, which was broadcast as part of the X games on ESPN. He loved working out, telling tall tales and spending time with his family whom he cherished above all else. He had a large personality and always attracted friends through his tall stature and love of fun. He met people on all his travels, was adamant about keeping up with them, and was proud to have stepped foot on all seven continents. He loved life and was blessed to spend 83 years doing it his way! He will be missed by many every day for eternity!

The interment will take place on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 Fort Hood Street, Killeen, Texas, 76542. A memorial service will be held on January 5 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 201 Dalton Circle, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, 78657, with a reception to follow at The Yacht Club, 1009 Horseshoe Bay Blvd., Horseshoe Bay, Texas, 78657.

If you wish to make a donation in Jim's name, please send a contribution to the Thorne Family Scholarship at the Baylor University School of Law, One Bear Place #97288, Waco, Texas, 76798-7288.

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