Tony (Kerry Anthony) Thornbrue was born in Edmond, OK, on August 12 , 1952, to Barbara and ElmoThornbrue - who both preceded him in death. He was their first born child and a wonderful birthday gift to his mom as he came into this world on her birthday. He was known to everyone as Tony, most people didn't know he had any other name, including his own brother, Keith, who didn't know his legal name until Keith was a preteen. Tony was the oldest child and loved his siblings Keith Thornbrue and wife Pattsi of Guthrie, OK; Pam Bell and husband Mitch of Konawa, OK; the late Brian Thornbrue and wife Lori of Shawnee, OK; very much. But one of his favorite pastimes as a child was scaring his younger siblings, one time in particular involved a dog named Suzette being squished against a window to scare Pam and Brian.

As Tony grew he became active in sports and enjoyed football, track, and wrestling. He was every bit the bell bottomed, pin stripe jock. Then, one fateful day, he was challenged by his football friends to get on a wild horse. Not one to back down from a challenge he got on that horse. He quickly got off that horse (though not by his own free will) and in the process was kicked in the side by both hooves. That kick must have been a hard one because everything changed, Tony the jock disappeared and Tony the cowboy emerged from that arena.

Tony also loved and was very gifted in music. He learned to play the guitar, wrote his own songs, and could teach himself to play any song he heard on the radio in just a few short minutes. Tony graduated from Edmond High School in 1970. He traveled the rodeo circuit competing in saddlebronc and bareback riding, he even rode a bull or two. He worked on a few ranches over the years and loved training horses.

He was given the title of Dad by his children Catina and husband Chris Spruell, and Clint Thornbrue and fiancé Cindy Smith. He loved his children very much and enjoyed holding the title of Dad. Tony also had several nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Tony took his love of music on the road. He traveled with The Black Mountain band as their bass player and was able to play music alongside his youngest brother, Brian. Brian said (later in life and many bass players later) that Tony was the best bass player he ever played with, and not just because he was his brother, but because of the sheer talent Tony had.

It was Tony's musical talent that led him to the exact place he needed to be to meet the love of his life, Nancy, though neither of them knew it at the time. A couple of years later they were reunited again, the timing was right and Tony swept Nancy off her feet… No broom was necessary. They were married on July 16 , 2005, and Tony gained even more children to love: Kristen Walton, the late Kelly Walton, and Karl Walton and wife Ashley. Nancy was the answer to many prayers.

Tony became a grandpa and enjoyed every minute he spent with his grandkids: the late Dakota, Dalton, Tristan, Gage, Seth, Mason, Shanna, Layne, Karli, and Lynlee. He was blessed with 3 great-grandchildren as well: Keon, Castin, and Kyran.

A man of many talents, Tony also became a published author with his book, Memories Of My Cowboy Days. In true Thornbrue fashion, Tony was equipped with an ornery streak a mile wide and if you spent any time around him you couldn't help but laugh. To know Tony was to know great laughter and great joy.

Tony stepped from this world into Heaven on December 2 , 2021, where he is now walking tall and steady with Jesus.

Funeral service will be Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with visitation from 10 until service time. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.