Tommie Art “Coach” Thornburg, 93, of Skellytown, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 in Borger.
His funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 2, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Skellytown, officiated by Pastor Carter Pirtle. Burial will follow at the White Deer Cemetery. Coach Thornburg will lie in state at Burgin Funeral Home from 1:00-5:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 1.
Pallbearers will be Russell Feerer, Raymond Hanover, Warren Mills, Jerry Tice, and Marvin Kramer.
Tommie was born on November 4, 1930 to Guy and Elimina Thornburg in Miami, Texas.
After graduating from high school, he proudly served in the United States Navy, where he received several honors. He was recruited to manage the West Texas State University Football team while earning his degree. He always beamed with pride over his “1957 Tangerine Bowl Championship” team. He regularly organized the team reunion for the remainder of his lifetime.
Tommie devoted his life to his two passions, teaching history and coaching. He coached for 38 years and was loved and admired by all of his students and athletes. He took great pride in coaching and teaching at Vega, Silverton, and White Deer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings Guy Daniel Thornburg, Jerry Thornburg, and Bonnie Lee Clifton.
He is survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Tommie regularly spent holidays and ate dinner every Sunday with his close special friends, Carolyn and Nick Nichols. He also loved spending time with friends Kelley and Russell Feerer, Megan and Gus in Logan, New Mexico and considered all of these friends as family.
Tommie’s family would like to thank Northwest Texas Hospital MICU Unit, Caprock Nursing Home, and BSA Hospice for the excellent care they provided.
