Background
Thornton, Kenneth Monroe was born on July 7, 1923 in Alden, Iowa, United States. Son of Guy and Emma Alma (Risse) Thornton.
Thornton, Kenneth Monroe was born on July 7, 1923 in Alden, Iowa, United States. Son of Guy and Emma Alma (Risse) Thornton.
Engineering degree, Ellsworth College, 1942. Degree in divisional natural science, Iowa Wesleyan College, 1961. Bachelor of Divinity., Hartford Seminary, 1966.
Master of Divinity, Hartford Seminary, 1966.
Deacon, 1964; as elder, 1966. Pastor Blakesburg Circuit, 1959—1961, Malden Bridge Circuit, Old Chatham, New York, 1961—1962, Brownsville Circuit, Vermont, 1962—1963. Senior pastor Agawam United Methodist Church, Massachusetts, 1963—1969, Maple Street United Methodist Church, Lynn, Massachusetts, 1969—1974, Holyoke United Methodist Church, 1974—1976.
Comptroller United Methodist Reporter, Dallas, from 1976. With Religious News Service, from 1983. Assistant district manager Fuller Brush, Blakesburg, Iowa, 1958—1959.
Assistant conference secretary Southern New England Conference, Boston, 1968—1974, trustee, 1974—1976, conference secretary, 1974—1976. Chaplain Lynn Fire Department, 1971—1974. Member supervisory committee North Texas Conference Federal Credit Union, Farmersville, Texas, 1981—1984.
Second vice commander, Amvets, Iowa, 1954—1955. President Greater Lynn Mental Health Association, 1973—1975.
Member of National Chamber of Commerce, Lion (president 1982-1984, zone chairman 1983, delegate international convention 1985).
Married Velma Rose Claude, September 6, 1942. Children: Ronald Kent, Donald Karl.