Douglas Oland Thornburg Sr.

Douglas Oland Thornburg Sr. passed away December 12th, 2013, at St. John Hospital in Tulsa, OK. He was born December 21, 1938, in Wheeling, WV. He was the retired owner of Fairfax Furniture in Fairfax, OK, as well as a salesman for Gas & Electric Equipment Company in his earlier years and the owner of a satellite antenna business in the 80's. He grew up in Norfolk, VA, the son of Oscar & Emma Thornburg. Douglas joined the Air Force in 1956 and ended up stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. He was in the Air Force from 1956 to 1964. While stationed at Tinker, he met and married the love of his life, Rita Lee Stephens. They had three children together and through his salesman years with Gas & Electric Equipment Company, they ended up in Muskogee, OK, where they raised their children until the late 70's when they moved to Cleveland, OK, and Douglas started his satellite antenna business. It was a few years later when the opportunity came for him to purchase Fairfax Furniture where he stayed until his retirement. Doug enjoyed gardening, bird watching, boating and fishing. He loved his dogs: Charlie, DeeDee and Emma. He treasured his time at the ocean and going to Virginia to visit with his family whenever possible. He enjoyed flying and received his private pilot license. Doug was always fascinated with mechanics, electronics and science in general, but his favorite thing in life was spending time with people. He was, without a doubt, a people person. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy; who all called him PapPap. He is survived by his children: daughter Terri and husband Brian Meadows of Muskogee, OK; son Douglas Jr. and wife Barbie Thornburg of Cleveland, OK; daughter Sherri and husband Mark Day of Sapulpa, OK; his sister Jean and husband Don Huston of Williamsburg, VA; his nine grandchildren: Tracy, Kimmy, Shawna, Destiny, Bryany, Bobby, Cheryl, Dylan and Daniel; twelve great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; In-laws: Mary & Kent Patton of Oklahoma City; Jerry Stephens of Addison, TX; Marilyn Thornburg of Chesapeake, VA; Betty Thornburg of Chesapeake, VA; Joan Thornburg also of Virginia; and many, many friends. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents Oscar & Emma Thornburg from Virginia; his brother Ozzie Thornburg from Kentucky; brother Gary Thornburg from Virginia; brother Ronald Thornburg from Virginia; grandson Michael Hall from Fairfax, OK and his beautiful wife, Rita, who passed away only two months before him. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 21st, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Chapman-Black Chapel, 108 W. Delaware, Cleveland, OK. David Head, pastor of Western Heights Baptist Church, will officiate.