Ronald Wesley (Frog) Thornton passed away peacefully on Friday May 2, 2025, at the Communities at Indian Haven. Froggy was born in Mentcle, PA on September 20, 1936, to Charles Wesley and Arlene (Neeley) Thornton. He graduated from Pine Township High School in 1954 and after a stint in the US Army, serving in Germany, he graduated from Indiana State Teacher’s College in 1964.
He was married to Rhea Eileen Bennett on December 14, 1957, until her death in 2012. They always made it a point to visit their children and grandchildren while still able and though they lived in different houses throughout their life together, it was always home for their children wherever they were. Froggy was an accountant throughout his life, and he loved numbers. Most of his working life he was self-employed, and in fact he still worked for a few long-term clients into his 80’s. That love of numbers put him on the sidelines at Penns Manor football games from the 60’s to early 80’s, running up and down to capture all the stats and then phone in the results to the Gazette.
Froggy was an avid bowler and fisherman and loved to solve crossword puzzles. He played baseball and softball into his 30’s, when he discovered he had a passion for golf. That passion, plus his decision to be self-employed and able to leave the office when he wanted, led him to become a mainstay at Meadowlane Golf Course for many years, as a player, an organizer for his Wednesday night league, and eventually as the weekend starter there. He played hundreds of matches over the years with golf buddies including Arch, Mike, Jerry, Gerson, Carl, Georgie, Joe, Ben, and others. Not sure if he ever broke even, but he used to say he did. Over all those rounds at Meadowlane, he recorded 3 aces and an albatross, and he even threw in another ace for good measure while playing in South Carolina with Rhea as a witness. She seemed even more excited to witness it than he was.
He was preceded in death by Rhea, and by his sisters, Thelma (Phillips), Winnifred (Marsh), and Dorothy. Surviving are his brother, Richard and wife Shirley of Clymer, daughter Glenda Croyle and husband Jim of Ebensburg, son Roger and wife Jan of Seymour, IN, son Randy and wife Marguerite of Northern Cambria, and daughter Gloria Johnson and husband Chet of Strongstown. Froggy is also survived by 11 grand and step-grandchildren, as well as 11 great and step-great grandchildren. Later in life, Froggy’s biggest pleasure was hearing about the kids and their activities and accomplishments, beaming with pride for every single one.
Friends will be received at McCabe-Roof Funeral Home, 565 Franklin Street, Clymer on Sunday May 4th, from 2PM-6PM, with funeral service to follow with Pastor Kim Betz, officiant. Interment and a private graveside service will be held at Montgomery Cemetery in Green Township on Monday May 5th. Froggy’s family requests that memorial donations be made to the Clymer American Legion.
Online condolences may be made at www.mccaberooffh.com.
