Dwight Edward Thorne's Obituary
Dwight Edward Thorne, fondly known as Shorty, was born in Kingman, Kansas on January 3, 1937 and
died on July 19, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Shorty served in the U.S. Army, worked as a mechanic, and
retired from Automotive Controls Corporation in the early 2000’s. He was married to Maxine Lorraine
Allison of Howard, Kansas, for 56 years.
Shorty and Maxine had five sons: John, Jeff, Jim, Jerome (Tony), and Jay. After living in Independence, Kansas for most of his life, Shorty, with his wife Maxine, moved to Covington, Georgia in 2011 where they lived together until Maxine’s death in 2017.
Recently, Shorty was introduced to Carolyn Christian and was married on June 10, 2023. While the details above offer a factual account of the life of Shorty Thorne, words will never fully describe the man. Shorty was a living example of the adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” From the outside, Shorty was a crusty old cowboy that would sooner do it himself than to ask for help. When it came to his opinion on a matter,
he shot straight from the hip. His quick mind, keen resourcefulness, and indefatigable work ethic fueled
his independent spirit and weathered a tough exterior that could make some folks keep their distance.
That tough exterior was just the cover on the book that held the story of his life. Shorty Thorne’s kind
heart, generous spirit, and love of life could not be bound by a cover. Shorty Thorne’s life was built on
trust in God, and he identified as a follower of Jesus Christ with a faith that worked. On every page of his
life, his big heartedness and love for others could be seen by the work of his hands. He repeatedly
repaired cars for those who could never pay him for his efforts. From his own resources, he built
handicap ramps for neighbors, remodeled homeless shelters, and drove the elderly in his community to
the grocery store, to the doctor, and to church. He spent his time providing meals for children in his
hometown, food for those on reservations, and bread to the food banks that served the neediest.
Although he was a man of few words, his generous actions were oracles proclaiming his love for his five
sons, their wives, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He knew how to work to make a living,
and he knew how to live to make a life. Happy Trails, Shorty! Cowboy Up!
A memorial service for Shorty Thorne will be held at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas, at 11:00 Saturday, August 17.
What’s your fondest memory of Dwight?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dwight?
Share a story where Dwight's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dwight you’ll never forget.
How did Dwight make you smile?
