Kevin John Thornton, 76, died on June 9, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. Born on June 22, 1949, in Chicago to John Arthur Thornton and Patricia Mooney Thornton, he grew up in Oak Park, attending Ascension Catholic School, graduating from Fenwick High School (’67) and earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas (’71) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He married Mary Catherine (Katie) White on July 22, 1972, and the couple raised eight children in their homes in Oak Park (’72-’87) and Villa Park (’87-’20) before retiring to Tyler, Texas. He worked for several leading book publishers in Chicago before bringing his expertise to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. There he found his most rewarding professional work, editing books on the beauty of his Catholic faith.
An ardent lover of music and literature, he spent thousands of hours reading the classics to his children and grandchildren. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Laura Ingalls Wilder were on regular rotation, as were his own legendary tales of Mike Seahunt and The Lake Swamp Monster. He enjoyed the outdoors year-round, leading Sunday excursions to hike, skate, and cross-country ski. Summers found him rooting for his White Sox, losing golf balls, and savoring beach time with family in Michigan.
In Texas, he and Katie found a welcome community. They sang the Liturgy of the Hours together each morning and attended daily Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
In recent weeks, he experienced a sudden onset of esophageal cancer. He faced these trials with his usual wry wit and deep faith. He spent his final days surrounded by his family. Katie, his anchor and the love of his life, held his hand to the end.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife, Katie; his children, Patrick (Jessica), Clare McCormack (Patrick), Matthew (Kristi), Hope Scarborough (Brady), Charles (Mary), Margaret Versaci (Vincent), Jack (Clare), and Luke (Jane); 38 grandchildren (with one on the way); 4 great-grandchildren (with two on the way); and his siblings, Mary Pat Collins (Joseph), Susan Wemple (Peter), Nancy, William (Madeline), Patrick (Heather), Brian (Aura) and John (Pamela).
A Requiem Mass was held on June 16 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, followed by interment at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas.