Troy Dee Thornton

Troy Dee Thornton – 43 of Cressey, passed away unexpectedly on September 10th, at a Modesto area hospital, after a hard fought 2-weeks. But a man’s life is not measured in how they died – but how they lived. And that is how we will forever choose to remember him, not in how he died, but in how he lived.

Troy was born March 24, 1982, in Merced, California to Jerry D. Thornton and Keta G. Barker.  Troy attended Merced Schools, and was part of the graduating class of 2000 from Merced High School where he was very proud to have been a part of the wrestling team. He gained many friends/brothers that have remained a large part of his life throughout the years.

After graduation he moved to southern California for about 8 years where he began his life-long career in hospital Security at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA. When he returned to Merced, he worked Security for a local behavioral health facility before moving onto Mercy Medical Center in Merced. He was there over a decade and quickly rose through the ranks, taking a lead position as Security Dept Manager/Director. He traveled annually for FEMA training and was a proud instructor for the hospitals AVADE training. He loved his job and enjoyed his time training & teaching hospital staff techniques to protect themselves and how to de-escalate situations. He dedicated 25 years to Healthcare/Hospital Security.

Troy loved people, he loved his family. He expressed it too; he would remind you any chance he had, that he loved you! And wouldn’t leave the house without a hug goodbye. He would chase the kids to the bus stop in the morning if one tried to escape without a hug. He had a genuinely quicky and silly personality. He never missed an opportunity to make you laugh. He tried not to take life too seriously; he lived every minute to the fullest. He loved to travel, was a HUGE sports fan, and was a lifelong Raiders and Giants fan. But he loved all sports and would be glued to the TV during football, basketball and baseball season – college ball and Pro alike…  He was also a master at TRIVIA! He loved to watch Jeopardy for fun and played alone.  He had this amazing knack for dropping movie lines and listed to every genre of music you could imagine. From Jazz, Classical, Opera, Classic Rock, Old Country and more. And was a classic car enthusiast.

You simply cannot sum up his life in a few short paragraphs, he was an amazing, loving, giving man and our hearts are beyond broken to have lost him so young with so much life and love left to share. While we may feel robbed of his life, we are grateful for the time we had. Our lives are forever changed because of him and without him.

He is survived by his parents Isador and Keta Ortega, his brother David Carmack of Merced, and four stepbrothers Dion Ortega of Merced and Isador Jr, James and Dennie Ortega of Texas. Also was loved many aunts, uncles, and cousins to name.  In addition to his soul mate and love of his life Nicole and children Gracie, Chase, Paul and Breanna as well as her extended family who loved him deeply.

Troy is preceded in death by his father Jerry Thornton, his maternal grandparents Dennis Barker, Ira and Retha Herring, his paternal grandparents Elden and Mona Thornton.

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