Ronald B. Thorne

Ronald B. Thorne, 75, of Bristol, TN and recently Noblesville, IN passed away on September 7, 2023 after a year-long battle with renal issues and complications from an intestinal ulcer.

He was born an only child April 15, 1948 in Fairbanks, AK to Lt. Col. Charles (U.S. Army ret) and Jewell Thorne.

He graduated Burges High School in El Paso, TX in 1966 and started college at Texas A&M. After a semester, he transferred to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. In 1984 he obtained his CPA, leading to a long and distinguished career in finance.

He was Chief Financial Officer for Becker Global America until his retirement in March 2023. Over the years, he spent time as an Eagle Scout, kept up with former classmates, and was Alumnus Prytanis for the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity while his son, 2LT Robert Thorne was at ETSU prior to his death. When he wasn’t working he was an avid golfer, enjoyed going to or watching football games, spending holidays and vacations with family, watching History Channel specials on World War II and Viet Nam, and entertaining family and friends with details of local history.  He was a devoted Dallas Cowboys and Texas A&M fan and spent many years organizing benefit golf tournaments for the 2LT Robert B. Thorne Scholarship endowment at ETSU.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Peggy Hawkins Thorne, her children Tammy Call and Joey Smith of Knoxville, TN, and his daughter, Terri Poburski of Fishers, IN. as well as one grandson and 4 step-grandchildren.

There will be a funeral service for immediate family members.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the 2LT Robert B. Thorne Scholarship at East Tennessee State University (https://www.etsu.edu/cbat/rotc/prospective/scholarships.php).