John Richard Thorderson

Tupelo – Dr. John Richard Thorderson, 80, passed away Tuesday evening, October 2, 2018, after a lengthy illness at his home in Tupelo. He was born in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, on December 26 , 1937 to Parley Eugene and Winona Seely Thorderson. He was raised in Kaysville, Utah where he graduated from Davis High School in 1956. He attended the University of Utah with a full scholarship from the Navy ROTC.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and received his commission as an Ensign on June 6, 1960. The following day he married Carol King and they have spent 58 years together. In 1979, he retired from the United States Naval Reserve as a Commander.

While teaching high school in Clearfield, Utah, he continued his education, receiving his Master’s Degree from the University of Utah and his Doctorate of Education Degree from Illinois State University, where he worked as the Assistant Director of Housing and Food Services.  From 1974 until 1998 he worked as the Dean of Admissions and Associate Provost of Faculty Relations at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  During that time he also served as a member of the Livonia Public School’s Board of Education in Livonia, Michigan for 10 years, 5 of which he served as the President.

Richard was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life. He held many leadership positions including: Bishop of the local congregations in Livonia and later in Tupelo, and President of the Westland Michigan Stake for 10 years where he was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award from the Detroit Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  With his wife, he served as President of the Salt Lake City Utah Mission from 1998 to 2001, and most recently as the President of the Memphis Tennessee Temple from 2004 to 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Carol King Thorderson of Tupelo; one daughter and five sons; Julie Wise (Scot) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; John Eric Thorderson (Loree) of Arizona; Dr. Parley Kurt Thorderson (Tera) of Kalispell, Montana; James Drew Thorderson (Susan) of Hattiesburg ; Dr. Nels Thorderson (Gina) of Tupelo; and Jedd Alan Thorderson (Julie) of Tupelo; his mother Winona Seely Thorderson of Kaysville; 20 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and five siblings , Nedra Overstreet (LeRoy) of American Fork, Utah; Sheila Steiner (DeVon) of Bountiful, Utah; Connie Lowder (Grant) of Kaysville, Zachary Thorderson (Donna) of Layton, Utah; and Kim Thorderson (Claudia) of Farmington, Utah.

He was preceded in death by this father, Parley Thorderson.

Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at W.E.Pegues, Tupelo.

Services with Military Honors will be 12 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2018, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1085 S. Thomas Street Tupelo, MS 38801, with visitation prior to service time beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Graveside services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, October 19, 2018 in Kaysville City Cemetery in Kaysville, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Dr. Thorderson to LDS Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave. Provo, UT 84604, or online at ldsphilanthropies.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com