Charles Edmund Thornburgh, Jr.

Charles Edmund Thornburgh Jr., 73, passed away peacefully into the beautiful arms of his personal Savior on July 29, 2021. Surrounded by both of his daughters, it was exquisitely beautiful; he was in no pain, and he is now with his beloved wife of 53 years, with whom we are sure greeted him to walk him Home.

Charles ‘Charlie’ Thornburgh was born in Lincoln, Nebraska November 12, 1947 to Charles E. Thornburgh and Edith (née Saner)Thornburgh

Soon after, his father would move the family to Vienna, Virginia, where he excelled in football at Madison High School, and met the love of the rest of his entire life, Georgianne.
After high school, he and Georgianne would move to Charlottesville, VA, where he received his BA in English Literature from The University of Virginia.

After college and flight school, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force, where he found his second love, and became a fighter pilot. While he flew many planes, he especially loved his A-7. After the Air Force, he went on to receive his MBA from Central Michigan. After leaving the USAF, he would go on to wear many hats: businessman; commercial airline pilot; Daddy; grandpa, and great-grandpa; uncle; Marriage Counselor; and friend. Finally, his last love, working with Flight Safety, in Savannah, where he excelled at teaching pilots nationally, and internationally. He absolutely cherished his job, and loved so many people there that became family.

He loved hiking the Appalachian Trail every year with his good friend, Bob Rowbal. They’d disappear into those mountains for a few days each summer, and thoroughly enjoyed every second.

He and Georgianne ( now Gigi, at this point) loved and cherished all the friends they made along the way. They adored their church family; neighborhood friends they met as they took walks- this man sometimes rolling his precious Gigi in a wheelchair after she was diagnosed with a recurrence of a cancer she’d been dealing with since 2006.
He was funny; he was witty; he was sharp as a tack; he was a great story teller; he was a great teacher and instructor.

Most of all he loved his Father in Heaven, and his family. Left behind to mourn this larger-than-life man who left us with a trail of smoke that turned to grief on Earth, but joy in Heaven, he took his last flight home. Left to grieve, but also celebrate that he is pain-free, whole and well again with his Eternal Savior and his Gigi, who passed 9 days before, as it should have been are: Daughters :Rachel( Dane), and Stephanie( Steve) ; grandchildren: Lindsey, Casey, Kayley, Gabriel, Rachael, and Brad; 4 precious great-grandchildren ; Sister Louise( Terri), and brother, Robert( Marian); cousins; 17 nieces and nephews, and dozens upon dozens of great nieces and nephews; so many friends, and those who have loved him over the years.

Charlie was preceded in death by both his Father and Mother; his brother, David Thornburgh, and nephew, Stephen Rabbitt.

The Thornburgh family would like to extend our extreme gratitude for all the condolences, visits, sustenance, and love that poured out so freely in a time of absolute shock and pain.
We would especially like to acknowledge Pruitt Hospice, and his nurses Tina, and Ashtin. Also, his 24 hour care-givers Tomeko, Gloria, and Latoya. You will always be in our hearts and minds for taking such wonderful care of both our mom and dad.

Please do not think for one second that Charlie is sad. He is in the the only place he wanted to be, with Jesus , his best friend and wife of 53 years, our mom. Most likely dancing and teaching that marvelous two step( unless mom has convinced him to step it up to 3, and jitterbug) down the streets of gold.

We will always love and miss you. We know you are safe and happy. We know you couldn’t stay, because you couldn’t leave your Gigi. Fly high, Daddy. We will see you soon.

A Celebration of life for Mr. Charlie will be held on Saturday August 7, 2021, 2021.

Visitation: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Compassion Christian Church Effingham Campus, 810 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, GA 31326.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Compassion Christian Church Effingham Campus, 810 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, GA 31326, with Military Honors.

Burial will be private at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pruitt Cares Foundation, a part of Pruitt Hospice. https://www.pruittcares.org/general-donation

Please sign our online guestbook at www.bakermccullough.com

Services have been entrusted to Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, 2794 West US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408. (912) 964-2862. www.bakermccullough.com