Ralph A. Thornton; Retired Contractor
Ralph A. Thornton, a retired independent Realtor and self-employed building contractor, has died at an Encino hospital. He was 80.
A longtime resident of Woodland Hills, Thornton died Tuesday of cancer, said his wife, Virginia Thornton.
Born Oct. 19, 1909, in Clarksville, Ark., Thornton came to California in 1929. He worked as a barber and later became an independent Realtor and a building contractor who constructed custom houses in the San Fernando Valley. He was a member of a Masonic Lodge in North Hollywood and the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years; a daughter, Lynda White of Woodland Hills; three sisters, Gladys Pleasant of Woodland Hills, Charle Sosebee of Ozark, Ark., and Maisie Sosebee of Borger, Tex.; and one granddaughter.
At his request, no services will be held. Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village is handling the arrangements.
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