Oldest Brooks Place resident turns 108
Published 11:40 am Wednesday, March 15, 2017
G.H. Thornberry pictured with one of the staff members at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place, where he resides. Thornberry, who is the oldest residnet at Brooks Place, celebrated his 108th birthday Sunday.
Glenn Thornberry with his friend Reggie Morris. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
A life-long UK Wildcats fan, Glenn Thornberry celebrated his 108th birthday Sunday with a UK-themed cake. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
Glenn surrounded by five generations of his family members during his 108th birthday party Sunday at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
G.H. Thornberry turned 108 on the same weekend his great-great-grandson, Easton Decoster, turned four. Easton and Glenn wish each other “Happy Birthday.” (Photo by Dina Flynn)
G.H. Thornberry walking away from his birthday party after it had ended. He is a proud member of the Winchester Lion's club for 80 years. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
Glenn pictured with his twin sons Larry and Jerry Thornberry. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
Glenn with his son Jerry Thornberry, granddaughter Jennifer Graham, her husband Bryan Graham and friend Reggie Morris. (Photo by Dina Flynn)
Rose Mary C. Brooks Place, an assisted living facility in Winchester, celebrated its oldest resident’s birthday over the weekend.
Family and friends gathered to recognize the 108th birthday of Glenn Thornberry Sunday afternoon.
G.H. Thornberry was born March 13, 1909, in Elliot County, but has lived in Winchester for more than eight decades according to his son Jerry Thornberry.
Glenn ran Thornberry’s Market on Main Street across from Leeds Theater for many years, along with a wholesale grocery business on Broadway Street.
He is past president and the oldest living member of the Winchester Lions Club, of which he has been affiliated for 80 years.
Jerry Thornberry said his father used to be an avid golfer and also served as president of the Winchester Country Club several times.
He is a member of Salem Presbyterian Church.
Glenn is also a big University of Kentucky Wildcats fan, and has held season tickets since before Rupp Arena was built and the team played at Memorial Coliseum.
Along with his late wife, Pauline Thornberry, Glenn had three children, the late Jay Thornberry, and twin sons Jerry and Larry Thornberry, who are 81.
He has more than 40 grandchildren of various generations.
In fact, Glenn was able to wish his great-grandson, Easton Decoster, a happy birthday this weekend. Easton turned four-years-old just a day after his grandfather’s 108th birthday.
Jerry Thornberry said the celebration Sunday was fitting as his dad always enjoys spending time with his large family.
“He loved family reunions and get-togethers,” Jerry Thornberry said. “He was adamant about sharing his life with his family.”
Although Glenn deals with some memory loss, he is still very healthy for his age, his son said. He attributes that to his father’s care for himself physically.
“He only takes just two prescriptions a day,” Jerry said. “He always took care of himself. He watched his diet, didn’t eat junk food, didn’t smoke. For 108, he’s really healthy.”
Glenn has lived at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place for almost two years, and his son said the community has been great for him.
“Moving here was the best thing that could have happened for him,” Glenn said.
About Whitney Leggett
Whitney Leggett is managing editor of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. To contact her, email whitney.leggett@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.
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