Dylan Lee Thornton

March 15, 1983 - September 12, 2017

Dylan Lee Thornton, age 34, tragically passed away in an automobile accident on September 12, 2017. He was born on March 15, 1983 in Provo, Utah to Ernie Thornton and Cheryl Thornton. He attended school in Orem, Utah, and graduated from Timpanogos High School in 2001. He graduated from Utah Valley University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He was currently working on a Master’s Degree. Dylan served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the California Ventura Mission, Spanish speaking, from 2002 to 2004. He had a love of the gospel and enjoyed being able to serve many people from many cultures. Emily and Dylan were longtime friends and married on May 5, 2005, in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. For the next eleven years they were inseparable and had many fun experiences together. Dylan began teaching History in 2011 at Vista Heights Middle School in Saratoga Springs, Utah. He loved the time he was able to spend in the classroom with his students. Not only was he a teacher but he was a friend and listening ear. In July 2016, came the long-awaited phone call saying that a sweet baby boy in Ohio was waiting to be adopted. Cooper immediately won them over! He became their everything and the light of their lives. Dylan loved his family and was an amazing husband and father. His nieces and nephews always knew that he loved them unconditionally. He will always be remembered for his cheerful personality. He always knew how to make you smile with a silly impersonation or simply just a “thumbs up”. Dylan was an instant friend to everyone he met. He was known to be passionate about history, reading, Legos, movies, music, technology and of course, Star Wars. Dylan is survived by his wife, Emily and son, Cooper. His mother, Cheryl Thornton and father, Ernie (Anita) Thornton; sister Kelsey (Murray) Tucker, step-sisters, Daelyn (Alan) Skousen, Jana (Dale) Gierisch; Shalise (Devin) Kearns; step-brother, Kyle (Serene) Hardy, and grandmother Darlene Thornton. He is also survived by his in-laws Bob and Debbie Lowry; sisters in law Tiffany (Shawn) Pettigrew; Jennie (Mike) Sardoni; and brother in law Scott (Danika) Lowry; his many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Also survived by his students and colleagues. Dylan is preceded in death by his grandfathers Duane Thornton and John Grondel; and his grandmother LoRene Grondel. A special thanks to the Utah Highway Patrol and Vista Heights Middle School for their kindness and care during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, a donation account has been set up for Cooper at Utah Community Credit Union. The family requests that if you have time please send a note to a teacher, coach, mentor or friend expressing gratitude of the role they have played in your life. Dylan- may the force be with you always. Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 18th, at 1:00 pm, at the Sharon Park 8th Ward, 85 East 700 North, Orem, Utah, where Viewings will be held Sunday, September 17th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and prior to services on Monday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Interment in Orem City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.