Collin Andrew Thornton, 23, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2006, in a tragic motorcycle accident west of Kalispell.

Collin was born in Kalispell the son of Donald Thornton and Shelley Smithers. Collin attended elementary school in Evergreen until his family moved to Kila when he was in the fourth grade, followed by Flathead High School.

Collin enjoyed fishing and hunting and the outdoors. He loved working in the shop restoring his classic Chevy muscle cars, riding his four-wheeler and motorcycle. Collin loved spending time with his niece, Sierra, teaching her to tie her shoes, playing and teasing her and nephew, baby Dalton. Sierra and Dalton loved their uncle Collin and he loved them. Collin also had a special relationship and closeness with his cousins.

Collin worked in the family logging and trucking business as a truck driver and harvested timber.

Collin is survived by both parents, Donald Thornton of Kila, and Shelley Smithers of West Glacier; sister, Marri Thornton, and brother-in-law, Duane Brown, and their children, Sierra and Dalton of Whitefish; grandmother Mavis Thornton of Lakeside; great-grandmother, Leona Burnhard of Fortine; grandfather, William, and his wife, Idela Smithers, of Kalispell; and grandmother Barbara LaJune of Shelton, Wash.

Collin is loved and missed by all of his family and friends.

Collin "will join his grandfather Delivan Thornton and uncle Dale Thornton" at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of Collin's life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. All friends are welcome. Internment will be afterward at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with a reception after.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: A separate memorial service for Thornton is being held today. See memorial service listing on this page for information.)