Harold "Hal" Franklin Thornburg

Harold “Hal” Franklin Thornburg, 80, of Morehead City, passed away Friday, February 9, 2018 at Carteret Health Care with his son and daughter by his side.

Hal was a member of the Cherryville United Methodist Church, a Shriner, an avid golfer and fisherman.

He is survived by his daughter, Melissa George and spouse, Ginny Pospisil, of Morehead City and Melissa’s son, Travis George and family of Atlantic Beach, Florida; son and caregiver, Michael Glenn Thornburg of the home, and his children, Michael and wife, Brandon and Ashley “Taylor Grace”; brothers, C.V. Thornburg of Cherryville, NC and Gary Thornburg of Cherryville, NC; and neighbors of Carriage Crossing and good friend, Peggy Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Thornburg; parents, Clarence and Bonnie Thornburg; and son-in-law Donald Wayne George, II.

A tribute to Hal written by his grandson, Travis: “We lost my grandfather late last night; a quiet and peaceful end of a two-decade struggle against paralysis, deafness and the detours of best laid plans. He was a Great Smoky Mountain with a molasses baritone and an old Carolinian splendor, never shrinking in presence or in poise. To me, he is Sunday dinners and southern drawl. When I was small and would visit him in Cherryville, I would lie awake in wonder watching the ceiling as the headlights of cars turning at the intersection outside would cut through the window and trace the room from one end to the other before disappearing, like the vigilant eye of a lighthouse. He will be that lighthouse for me now. I will love you and miss you forever, Papaw. It was an honor to be your “grand grandson”.”

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.