Nathan Daniel Thornton, 39, of Las Vegas, NV, peacefully passed to the arms of our loving God on February 14, 2021, after complications from a seizure and cardiac arrest. He was surrounded by his loving family during the final moments of his life.

Nathan was born to Bill and Julie Thornton of Spanish Fork, UT on June 27, 1981. He was a graduate of Spanish Fork High School, Class of 1999 and was a member of the football team. He served in The United States Army as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Drum, NY with the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons.”  He served during the 2006-2007 Iraq Deployment known as The Triangle of Death. His combat brothers recognize Nate as a well-respected soldier and a man of character. He was often the differentiator between defeat and surviving another night along the Euphrates River Valley. He was awarded The Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. After honorably serving his country, he received a Bachelors of Science in Business from University of Phoenix in 2015.

He married the love of his life, Terra, on August 8, 2009 in Watertown, NY. They settled in Las Vegas, NV in 2010. Nate was a dedicated and supportive husband. He prided himself on being able to serve his family and being a faithful husband. He knew his wedding vows to be forever. He was ready to support anything his wife suggested with a “Let’s make it happen,” response. She will be forever grateful for his love and friendship. They have four beautiful children: Alexis (17), Chloe (4), Keagan (4) and Josie (3).

Nathan was the most rare of fathers and referred to taking care of his four children as his greatest privilege in life. He jumped right into fatherhood with Alexis at the age of 4 and she knows him to be her biggest fan. He was a very hands-on father and worked from home so he could love and care for his children. His children were showered with his acts of love daily. He prepared made-to-order home cooked meals, bathed them, dressed them, read to them, coached them, and was a big playmate. As a dad, he was always thinking about the well-being and happiness of his children. He was constantly watching YouTube tutorials to perfect the latest hairstyles for his daughters that received many jaw dropping compliments. His Amazon cart was always full with purchases for his children and he never failed to bring back a surprise for them when returning from the store. Each child knew and felt his love.

Nate dedicated himself everyday to his family. He taught us unconditional love for one another. He was inspired by the unconditional love that he received from his parents. He often commented that he knew how much his parents loved him and he wouldn’t let many days go by without calling his mother. He was a loving son and referred to himself as the luckiest man alive because he had “the greatest parents in the world.” Because of Bill and Julie’s strong example of love, Nathan knew and valued the importance of family. Terra and their children benefited tremendously from Nathan’s wonderful upbringing and “family first” mentality.

Nate was “Nate,” and anyone who ever knew him, knows the meaning of this. He was predeceased by a brother, Jake (1979). Surviving in addition to his wife, children, and parents, he leaves behind a grandmother, Starla Drage, brother, Jamison, sisters Katie (Fox) and Nikka (Bona), and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Nathan, our beautiful father, husband, son, brother, and uncle, we feel very blessed and our hearts are full of joy, for in a small moment, in the vastness of time, we were able to spend time with you. We will love you always and we know to be true, that one day, we will be together again.

A viewing and service of remembrance will be held Monday, February 22 at Spanish Fork 19th Ward, 585 North Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT. Viewing will be from 10:00-12:00. Service will immediately follow. Burial will be at Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 South 400 East.