Dr. Raymond Howard Thornton of Yorktown Heights, New York, passed peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2020.
Ray was the son of Howard R. and Kathryn J. Thornton. He graduated from PPHS in 1986 as Class President and Co-Valedictorian and went on to pursue three degrees in piano performance from the prestigious The Julliard School in NYC. While completing his DMA in piano performance, he completed coursework and was admitted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
From there, he completed his residency in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in interventional radiology specializing on diseases of the liver at UCSF. His first physician appointment was at The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he helped numerous patients, guided residents and fellows, handled quality assurance issues, wrote radiology board questions, and presented papers for the NIH in Washington, DC, Japan and various other places. He also taught and practiced at the University of Utah at Salt Lake City and most recently, Cape Cod Hospital.
Ray is preceded in death by his sweet father, special “Granny” Josephine Dean, and his paternal grandparents (one of whom he was named), and several uncles, aunts, cousins, and close friend, Dr. William O’Byrne.
He is survived by his loving mother and his precious partner of 21 years, John “Chip” Holmes with whom he made his life, along with their two fur babies, Victoria and Tucker.
He is also survived by his “little sister” Dr. Georgia (Dave) Thornton and special niece, “Ray’s Katie,” Dr. Kathryn B. who is following in his footsteps; brother, Donald (Julie), nephew, Aaron (Stephanie, Abigail, Bryce, Carly), and niece, Kristen.
He is also survived by a special uncle, Gerald “Biggie” Thornton, and aunt, Evalee McKinney, as well as loving cousins and a multitude of great friends and colleagues who will miss him dearly.
Ray enjoyed life—music, reading, gardening– and he lived it to its fullest. It is the family’s wish that all who knew and loved Ray would advocate for better diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease and better mental health care of all those working in medicine.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “The Benefit Fund in Memory of Ray Thornton” at People’s Bank, 421 Main Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 sponsored by the PPHS Class of 1986.
Private graveside services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant.
Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.