Brian Floyd Thornley

Brian Floyd Thornley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home in Logan, Utah on October 19, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. 

Brian didn’t waste time wondering if life could be good, he just got busy living a good life.  Born in Logan, Utah July 20, 1939 to Glenda Elaine Phillips and Heber Floyd Thornley, he was a small town boy who lived big in the best ways.  He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern States Mission, where he especially enjoyed his time serving in the mission home in New York City.  After graduating from Utah State he married the lovely Jean Stoker on September 5, 1962 and went on to graduate from Washington University School of Dentistry in St. Louis in 1966.  They pursued their joint careers of homemaking and dentistry in Logan, where Brian started and worked at his own dental practice for 40 years.  Jean and Brian raised six children and enjoyed 61 years together.  

Brian didn’t count the cost of service, he just helped people wherever he was asked and wherever he saw a need.  Everyone in his sphere knew they had a steady, capable, and creative advocate, someone who would generously give time and energy to their needs, and who would hold on to the integrity of his own personality and convictions while appreciating theirs. Brian was a cheerful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved serving the Lord.  His diligence, ability to inspire others, and uncanny organizational skills served him well in various church service opportunities, including Bishop, Stake President, Temple Sealer, and Stake Patriarch. Brian and Jean served as Visitor Center Director in the Aukland, New Zealand Mission. He also served in many professional capacities, including President of the Utah Dental Association. His community service included Logan High PTA president and Chair of the Cache County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. 

It was a gift to hear Brian laugh out loud in sincere enjoyment of a good story or joke.  If the joke was on him, so much the better. He also delighted in every kind of athletics—for the love of the contest and a generous appreciation of achievement.  He competed in several sports in high school and played baseball at Utah State, kept up a good golf game for decades, encouraged his kids in their sports and activities, then achieved the highest possible athletic status: happy member of the Grandpa Fan Club. 

Brian loved gardening and golfing, taking his sweetheart Jean to shop and travel, and serving in the temple. He loved his Yankees and root beer floats. Brian loved his Jean and his kids and grandkids, and every moment of work and sacrifice he gave is sanctified to them.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Stoker Thornley, six children: David (Stephanie) Thornley, Christine (Mark) Smoot, Robert (Deanne) Thornley, Steven Thornley, Jonathan (Rebekah) Thornley, and Mark (Heidi) Thornley, along with 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Bruce (Dalene) Thornley, a sister, Bonne Thornley, and a grandson, Wilson David Thornley. 

The viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary located at 34 East Center Street, Logan, UT. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at noon, preceded by a viewing from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Logan Lundstrom Park 2nd Ward Chapel located at 1260 N. 1600 E., Logan.  

Funeral services will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the following link: rebrand.ly/LP2_EQ