Richard E. “Dick” Thorn

1933 - 2007

Richard E. "Dick" Thorn, of Lakeport, passed away at his home on Dec. 7, 2007 at the age of 74. Dick was born June 8, 1933 in Sacramento. He was the first of four children born to Richard and Mabel Thorn. The family moved to a small farm in Hydesville, Calif., where Dick attended school and graduated from Fortuna High School on his birthday in 1951. Dick moved to Lake County after graduation and was soon drafted into the Army. He completed basic training at Ford Ord and was shipped out to Korea where he served as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1954. Dick was proud of the fact that he went in as a Private and came out as a Private.
After his service in Korea, he returned to Lake County and went to work for Jack and Bob Campbell as a logger for six months. He then went to work with his father, Richard Thorn at Lange Brothers Construction as a truck driver. On May 16, 1960, Dick and his father purchased the Redi-Mix division of Lange Brothers Construction and founded Clear Lake Redi-Mix, Sand and Gravel. With the new company, Dick was able to fulfill his childhood dream, to own a big red truck with a white bumper. In the early 1990's the main gravel plant operation was moved to Colusa County and he commuted daily to run the plant. Dick handed the operation of the business over to his son Rick and the operation of the gravel plant over to his son Mark so he could spend more time traveling to his mines in Nevada and his vacation home in Sheridan, Mont.
Dick was a Lakeport Volunteer Fireman form 1957 - 1962. In 1967 he joined the Derby Hat Club and has served as the official trail master on their biannual fishing trips. He was a Lakeport Rotarian form 1969 - 1984 and served on the board of director. For the past three years, he attended the monthly Cannibal Feed luncheons with many of his friends. He enjoyed contributing to the community and preferred his accomplishments go unnoticed and disliked any acknowledgment.
Dick is survived by his wife, Kelly, whom he married on Nov. 29, 1969; sons, Rick (Carol), Mark (Wendy) and Sam; daughter, Traci (Kevin) Medina; sisters, Jeanette Snyder and Sally Hickock; sisters-in-law, Casey, Coleen and Jennifer Baril, Joann Draper and Erin (Charlie) Rossiter; brothers-in-law, Mike (Josie) and Dan Baril; grandchildren, Derek Thorn, Travis Thorn, Kim Guerra, Kyle Medina, Kaila Medina, Danielle Thorn and Alex Thorn; great-grandchild, Kolby Medina; many nieces and nephews and many, many great friends.
Dick is preceded in death by his father, Richard E. Thorn, mother, Mabel Thorn, sister, Margaret "Peggy" Fritch and grandchildren, Jessica Thorn, Danny Thorn and Phillip Guerra.
A memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at Chapel of the Lakes.
Family prefers donations be made to Westside Community Park c/o City of Lakeport, 225 Park Street, Lakeport, CA 95453.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit chapelofthelakes.com.