Johnny “John” Wayne Thornberg went to his heavenly home on April 27, 2022 after passing peacefully in his sleep at his home.

John was born in Alexandria, LA on May 3, 1944. He grew up and graduated high school in Pollock, LA. After high school he attended McNeese State University and joined the U.S. Army where he served for three years. He was honorably discharged as a SP/5 E-5. John graduated from Mississippi Baptist Hospital School for Respiratory Therapy in Jackson, MS. He was licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and certified by AHA in BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP. He worked as a Respiratory Therapist for 44 years. In that time, he started and directed two Respiratory Therapy departments, implemented, and directed the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Beauregard Memorial Hospital, consulted at two Respiratory Therapy Departments in Merryville General Hospital and DeQuincy Memorial Hospital, and served on the executive committee of numerous boards. John ended his respiratory career working in the NICU at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women.

John was a member of the Lake Houston Church of Christ.  He loved Jesus and loved to be involved with the church.  When his daughters were younger, he liked traveling with them and their youth group. John loved his country and was very patriotic. He even stood to honor the flag while watching a baseball or football game from home. John was an avid bass fisherman and won many tournaments. He enjoyed playing softball and coaching his daughters’ teams. He could throw a scorching fast ball! John also loved playing golf and had an excellent short game. Everyone that knew him knew he had a great sense of humor and loved to pull pranks, tease, and tell good jokes. He was a very loving and devoted husband and a very proud Daddy and PawPaw. His family all loved to eat his steak, red beans and rice, chili, and chicken sauce picante. John was a fighter. In his life, he survived a heart attack, multiple strokes, and surgeries. He was a survivor of esophageal cancer for the last seven years.

Left to share memories of him are his wife of nearly 45 years, Fran Thornberg; daughters Kimberly Anne Craig of Orange, TX, Donna Denise Bell (Tim) of Brandon, MS, Kristen Amber Hanks (Josh) of Humble, TX
and Marci Nicole Maricelli (Jared) of Sulphur, LA; sister Patcie Henderson of Branson, MO; eight grand-children Brittney Willis (Christopher), Dylon Craig, Blake Bennett, Kyle Bennett, Kinsley Maricelli, Cooper Hanks, Zane Maricelli and Addilyn Hanks; five great children Zachari Willis, Jettediah Willis, Skylar Grills, Averi Willis and Grayson Willis, and one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Bertha Thornberg, brother Marvin Thornberg, and sister Jeannette Brazzel.