Thornton Porter Traise

Thornton Porter Traise was born November 18, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Clyde and Gladys (Crowell) Traise. Thornton grew up in Chicago where he attended the Grey School, and went on to graduate from Schurz High School in 1946. Following high school, Thornton earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. He then went on to earn a Master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago. As a young boy, Thornton was active in the Boy Scouts, enjoyed camping, and worked as a “newsie”, managing as many as three newsstands! Thornton married Joanne Klusman on August 19, 1950 at the Norwood Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and to this union, three children were born: Mary, Jennifer, and Andrew. The family made their home in Chicago Heights, Illinois for several years, before moving to Elkhorn, Nebraska in 1984. Thornton worked as a Research Chemist for several years. He started out with Victor Chemical, which became Standard Oil, and was later known as Amoco. He retired from Amoco in 1989. Throughout his work life, Thornton held many patents for chemistry research, and developed several lubricants that are still used in the NASA space program. In addition to his work, Thornton was a man of many and varied interests. He enjoyed camping and sailing, and was a talented woodworker. He was also generous with his time, often going on church mission trips and donating his time and talents to Habitat for Humanity. Thornton and Joanne also enjoyed Elderhostel trips ~ weeklong educational trips to various parts of the country. Thornton’s community activities included the Kiwanis Club and the Methodist Men’s group at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church. He had also been one of the founders of the Omaha Woodworker’s Guild. Thornton was a very honest man, who was always ready and willing to help others. He was a lifelong learner, especially in the areas of math and science, and even until recently, could be found solving Calculus or Physics equations, just to keep his mind occupied. But above all else, his family was the most important thing to Thornton. He relished being a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was at his happiest just spending time with his family and his pets. Thornton passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the Marquis Place in Elkhorn, Nebraska at the age of 80 years and 8 months. He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Gladys Traise. Thornton is survived by his wife Joanne of Elkhorn, daughters and sons-in-law; Mary and Michael Rich of Slidell, Lousiana and Jennifer and Todd Maehl of Beecher, Illinois, son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Cheryl Traise of Tomball, Texas; 10 grandchildren: Heather Fuselier, Betsy Manion, Michael Rich, Schuyler, Sarah, Olivia, and Emily Maehl, Scott Armstrong, Patrick Duncan, and Clayton Traise; 7 great grandchildren: Shelby, Josh, Sarah, Miranda, Aiden, Rex, and Gracie; and his sister and brother-in-law Norma Jean and John Simmons of Park Ridge, Illinois.

Thornton Porter Traise

November 18, 1928 - July 18, 2009