Mitchell Eugene Thornton

Mitchell Eugene Thornton, born October 16, 1957 in Castro Valley to Russell and Dorothy Thornton wen to his heavenly home on Mach 1, 2023 after an eighteen-month battle with liver cancer.
Mitch grew up in the Ivanhoe and Sanger area, graduating from Sanger high school. He attended Jr. College and took many courses in agriculture, business management and leadership. As well as anything that was of interest to him.
He put his talents to work for H.P Metzler & Sons in Del Rey CA in the eighties where he traveled to Europe, Canada and throughout the U.S demonstrating and selling vineyard and orchard all terrain faming equipment.
The in late eighties Mitch accepted a position as Shop Manager at J.R Wood in Atwater Ca, a family-owned company. His position with the Wood family farming and frozen food operation grew as he was given more and more responsibilities. By the early 2000's he was VP of Operations. He held this position after the company became Dole Frozen Food. While working for Dole he traveled to Thailand, the Philippines and Mexico.
In 2004 Mitch left Dole and got his landscaping contractors license and began growing The Grass is Greener Landscaping Management, a small business his had started in 2001. He developed this business to encompass the entire central valley as well as the foothills.
In December of 2021 Mitch had to close his business. This was extremely hard on him since he had developed such a good relationship with his clients and a strong bond with his employees. His cancer left him to weak and sick to continue.
Family and travel were always at the forefront with Mitch. He loved being a stepdad, however that could never compare to the joy he felt being a grandfather. His unconditional love he had for his original four was enhanced when he got two bonus grandsons. Grampa Mitchie's life was further blessed when he became a great grampa, three babies in three years and with each new addition a mandatory trip to MN was needed to meet the newest addition.
Travel in all forms was a big part of Mitch's life. Be it by motor home, car, airplane, or cruise ship, he loved it all. His favorite was any thing he could drive himself, much to often without stops until he got to where he was going. Even though we traveled all over his favorite destination was Pismo Beach.
Mitchell is proceeded in death by his dad Russell. His step daughter Michell Trautman, his step daughter in law Dorene Cipolla and infant grandson Malachi Cipolla.
He leaves behind his wife of 40 years Sharron, his mother Dorothy, stepson Charles (Duner) Cipolla and wife Shondra, their sons Giovanni, Jackson & Carter. Son in law Clayton Trautman, granddaughters Breann Nielsen her husband Doug and their sons Mads & Shepard, Nicci Menze her husband Brandon and their daughter Amelia Michelle and grandson Josh Trautman. He is also survived by loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many caring friends.
A celebration of Mitchell's life will be held April 1, 2023 from 1:00 PM-4:00 at the Green Hills Golf Course, 19 Clubhouse Drive, Chowchilla CA 93610 in the Sand Trap event tent.
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