Submitted by his family
Scott Allen Thornton‚ 39‚ career captain‚ Summit Township Fire Department‚ died January 20‚ 2005‚ when he became trapped and ran out of air while fighting a house fire. Scott was a third generation firefighter. He began his career as a volunteer with the Cascade Township Fire Department and then followed his grandfather and father by becoming a member of the Summit Township Fire Department where he served for 19 years. He had held various ranks and worked in many capacities‚ most recently as training captain. He volunteered many hours in his church and community and the Jackson County Civil War Muster. He was devoted to his wife Cari and children Emily and Andrew. He will be remembered by his mother Joan‚ his father Bill‚ and his brothers Larry‚ Garry‚ Terry. Two thermal imaging cameras were purchased in Summit Township in Scott’s memory.
I hired Scott as a busboy at Bob Evans Restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI in the early 1980’s, and he worked his way up to grillcook before graduating from high school. He was always “on my case” about fire safety issues like a burnt out exit light or dates on fire extinguishers – he was already acting like a fireman! It was one of the saddest days of my life when I heard he had lost his life doing what he loved most in my hometown of Jackson, MI. My deepest sympathy to his family.
– Sheila ReedYou are loved and remembered Brother. Rest In Peace.
– Samuel Trachet