Romaine 'Ro' William Thornton

ROMAINE "RO" WILLIAM THORNTON

Cedar Rapids

Romaine Thornton passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

Romaine was born March 27, 1936, in rural Osakis, Minn., to Carl William Thornton and Luella Alice Thornton (Larson).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joni Thornton; his parents; and brother, George Thornton.

He is survived by his son, Thomas (Randi) Thornton, Lake City, Minn.; his stepson, John (Melanie) Gibson, Sutliff, Iowa; his stepdaughter, Dayna (Tom) Harrington, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his brothers, Carrol Thornton, Brooklyn Center, Minn., and Lonnie (Jerdis) Thornton, Buffalo, Minn.; his sisters, Linda (Wayne) Peterson, Lake Havasu City, Ariz, and Bonnie Morehouse, Ramsey, Minn.; his beautiful granddaughters, Nicole (Kevin) Walter, Portland, Ore., Makenzie (Mike) LaRose, Plano, Texas, Taylor Thornton, Lake City, Minn., and Kylee Harrington, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and his two adored great-grandchildren, Layton and Bryar Walter, Portland, Ore.

Ro served as a military police officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959 and was stationed in the United States and Okinawa, Japan. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1963 with an agricultural and economics degree. Soon after, he took classes that enabled him to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration from 1963 to 1988. He was resident in charge at the Des Moines, Iowa, office and also worked in Minneapolis, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. He took great pride in his work, and his dedication was profound. In 1986, he was part of the task force that had the biggest Iowa cocaine seizure. He had many adventurous years as a DEA agent. He led an exciting and fulfilling life that many just dream about.

Romaine loved spending time with his family but second to none was his golf game. St. Andrews Golf Course was his second home, where he achieved eight holes in one and played thousands of rounds of golf. He perfected his game over the years and helped others do the same. Many hours were spent in the clubhouse sharing stories and hanging out with "the guys." If Ro couldn't be on the green, he was in his basement making golf clubs or watching the game on his television.

Ro was thankful for his many friends, including his dedicated partners during his DEA years and his numerous golf buddies. A special thank-you to all of you who kept him company since the passing of his beloved wife, Joni, and during this last tough year. Ro was a true fighter who overcame many obstacles in his lifetime. He is someone to be remembered with great respect and fond memories.

Even though Ro is no longer with us, know that he is enjoying reunions with past loved ones and playing a round of golf at this very moment.

A private burial will take place this summer in Osakis, Minn.