Charles Thorney Jr.

Charles Edward Thorney, Jr. of The Woodlands, Texas died on Monday, June 18, 2018. Born on January 26, 1924, "Mr. Ed" - as he was affectionately called at Buckalew Elementary where he volunteered - was 94 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Janet Hansen Thorney; his parents, Charles Edward Thorney, Sr. and Agnes Waltz Thorney; by his sister, Ella Mae O'Shea; and son-in-law, Thomas C. Levert. He is survived by his dear friend and companion, Marjorie Lovell; by his children Barbara Heffner, Steve Thorney and wife Chris, and Terriann Levert; grandchildren Scott Heffner, Jeff Heffner, Jennifer Heffner Smith and husband Adam, Tony Vanders and wife Michelle, Matthew Levert and wife Meredith, Laura Levert and fiancé Daniel; great grandchildren Garrett and Celia Smith, Michael and Harrison Vanders, and William Levert. He is loved by lifelong friends from social, business, church and community relationships with whom he remained in contact. Ed is remembered for his kind, gentle, generous, quick witted spirit, his love for life, and abiding joy in the nurture of children. His own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were certainly blessed with his giving, teaching and mentoring heart, but so were the children in his own community at Buckalew Elementary in The Woodlands where "Mr. Ed" volunteered for fourteen years teaching the history of World War II in the Pacific, challenging students with riddles, innovating instruction in the use of a bank and check writing, as well as showing his playful side in dressing up as "the 100 year old man" for the annual parade. His efforts were acknowledged with awards from the Conroe Independent School District. "Mr. Ed" credits the school for saving his life following the death of his wife, Janet, and considered his efforts at Buckalew among the most important and rewarding in his long life. Ed was a quietly religious man and an active member at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church. He was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ed was a deeply patriotic veteran of the US Navy having served as the Executive Officer aboard his ship during World War II in the Pacific. Ed found joy in so many things in life, and those things often centered around family and friends - from the card games around the table, BBQ cookouts, or a round of golf to his love of travel often on cruises. His passion for the sea began early in childhood as well as his interest in the building of wooden ship models at which he became a master. A mechanical engineering graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, he drew many of his own model plans. His ships are on display in museums as well as gracing our family homes. "Mr. Ed," also known as Super Gramps, will be missed beyond the ability of words to convey. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, 4881 W. Panther Creek, The Woodlands, TX, 77381. Written expressions can be left on the website of Integrity Funeral Care at integrityfuneral.com. Monetary remembrances can be made to his church or a charity of your choosing.

Service Information

June 23, 2018 11:00am, The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church