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Simi Valley youth football coach Thornton dies at 67
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More from FootballJames Richard Thornton Sr. couldn't wait for the football season to start and for the past 33 years he was coaching youth teams in Simi Valley.
"Big Jim" passed away on Monday at age 67 from complications from emergency intestinal surgery.
A viewing and rosary will be held Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rose Funeral Home & Creation, 4444 Cochran St., Simi Valley. Services will be Friday at noon at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley.
Thornton was the coach of the Pacific Youth Football League Simi Valley Patriots Bantam Division team. He coached the Simi Valley Vikings for 30 years before they joined the Gold Coast Youth Football League in 2005. He was the Patriots secretary and former chapter president.
Thornton was a driving force in the PYFL since its inception in 1993 and with the Coastal Valley Conference before then. The PYFL Web site calls Thornton the "godfather" of Simi Valley youth football.
Simi Valley's Ron Palacios treasures his time coaching with and learning from the veteran.
"We coached at least six years together and he was a mentor to me and my son, Jonathan, a quarterback," said Palacios. "Everybody wanted to play for him and he never turned anyone down."
Thornton's two sons, Jim Jr., 39, and Mike, 27, played football for their father.
"He coached for so long and touched so many lives," said Mike Thornton.
Palacios said "Big Jim" donated his life to coaching kids.
Thornton, a Chicago native, was a wrestler (second in state), football and baseball athlete at Evergreen High in Evergreen, Ill. He was born Dec. 24, 1939, and moved to Solana Beach in 1957 where he was a postal worker and eventually met and married his wife of 39 years, Sharon.
The other children include Lindsey, 26, and Bob, 37.
Thornton moved his family from the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley after the 1971 earthquake. The former drag racer turned his career to construction and house painting in 1964.
Simi Valley's Bob Josker said there wasn't a single year he wasn't coaching.
Thornton coached youth baseball for 19 years and in 2003, he was the head freshman football coach at Simi Valley.
Jim Jr., who played football at Royal like his brother Mike, has been the offensive coordinator for the Birmingham High football team since 2002.
Mike Thornton said his father was preparing to coach in a youth football jamboree this past Saturday, but became ill.
According to Palacios, Apollo High's football field is named after Thornton.
"He lived for football," said Palacios. "During the offseason, he was in and out of the hospital."
In the mid-1980s, when Thornton could no longer work because of his (black lung disease and health concerns), he devoted his life to coaching youth sports.
"He's done it all," said Jon Palacios, 25, who works for Century 21 Real Estate now, but played under Thornton.
"He was one of those who was instrumental. He was a motivator and had a strong work ethic," said Jon Palacios, who played quarterback for Royal and Chaminade.
Mark Hoeffler, the new Grace Brethren football coach, said Thornton was instrumental in turning the Vikings from a four-team organization into 20 teams.
"He worked with so many young men," said Hoeffler, who started coaching with the Vikings in 1986.
"He will be truly missed. He was one of a kind. He truly enjoyed coaching youth."
Posted by steve on August 22, 2007 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jim is an excellent example of someone who gave of of his time and talent for others. Youth football is such a great sport because of people like Jim who have a passion and understand what can be gained from it. He will be remembered.
Steve Conaway
Posted by Troxler on August 23, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. Where to start. Many great football memories include this man. Jim Thornton was a huge part of my life growing up. I used to love the hitting drills him and my dad would dream up. Jim gave up so much of his time for kids. He will be truely missed. I send my love to his family. Unfortuntely I will not be able to make it to the service. I wish there was some way i could be there. From the OG VIKING days
Chad Troxler
Posted by blochz on August 23, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As Chad said. What an incredible man. I was lucky enough to play for him with Chad and Mikey. One of the most giving and kindest guys. You will be missed but not forgotten.......
Chris Bloch
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