Col. Brice Edgar Thornburg

God called Col. Brice Edgar Thornburg, 90, home on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. He was born January 31, 1921, to Charles and Lillie Bell Thornburg of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Reared in a large, loving farm family, Brice entered the Army Air Corp in 1940, attended MIT, and ascended to the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force. He was a bomber pilot in the WWII, surviving his 28th bombing mission over Germany after parachuting from his exploding aircraft. He bore a scar ring around his face from a melting oxygen mask. He survived the next nine months in a German prison camp and was allowed to live because his name was spelled THORNBURG instead of THORNBERG. He is a small part of the reason we are able to recite our allegiance to the United States of America, UNDER GOD, instead of hail to the fuhrer. Brice was a kind, unselfish person. He often helped those less fortunate than he and his family. Generous to his family and others, he denied himself luxuries which he could have otherwise afforded. Besides his enduring love of Betty Lee, his wife of 67 years, Brice dearly loved his family, his animals (especially Tippy), his memories from the view of his cockpit, and his own back yard. Brice will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and animals. Funeral service will be held Friday, June 24, 2011 at 6 o’clock at James A. Dyal Funeral Home Chapel, Summerville. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Friday from 4 o’clock until the hour of service. A graveside service will be held at 4 o’clock, Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Mount Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Cornelius, North Carolina. Memorials may be made to: Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Avenue, Cornelius, North Carolina 28031. Surviving are: his wife: Betty Lee Thornburg of Summerville, three sons and one daughter: Danny Thornburg (Sandy) of Camarillo, California, Dale Thornburg (Terry) of Rocklin, California, Elizabeth Ann Hudson (Roy) of Summerville and Jason Lee Thornburg (Lisa) of Marietta, Georgia, eight grandchildren: Brad, Emily, Hal, Brice, Dale, Sandra, Mary and Miles, three great grandchildren: Raven, Aislyn and Hudson, one sister: Mary Rogers of Davidson, North Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by many family members and an infant son: Michael. Godspeed, Dad…………we will always love you.

Col. Brice Edgar Thornburg

January 31, 1921 - June 21, 2011