Dr. Neil B. Thorne, 69, of Killen, passed away Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, after a short battle with cancer and Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorder. Neil was originally from Durand, Michigan, but had lived in the Shoals area for 21 years. Neil joined the United States Army in November of 1963 and retired from the US Army Reserve in May 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel. While serving, Neil also earned his Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Business. After leaving active duty in 1978, Neil earned his M.B.A. from Austin Peay State University and his Doctorate of Business Administration from Memphis State University. Neil was an Associate Professor at the University of North Alabama and taught management there from 1993 until his retirement in 2007. He loved teaching and looked forward to going to work every day. After retiring, Neil and his wife enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. Neil and Karen celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2013. Neil dearly loved his family and is survived by his wife, Karen Thorne; his son, Neil B. Thorne, Jr.; his daughter, Alyssa Morris; and his grandchildren, Ethan and Emma. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be appreciated. 800-805-5856 or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Spry-Williams Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, however, no memorial service is scheduled at this time.
