John Michael "Mike" Thornhill

John Michael “Mike” Thornhill, 77, of Desoto, Texas entered into the presence of the Lord on Monday, April 18th. Mike was born November 26, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to Johnie Thornhill and Freda Shellito Thornhill. He surrendered to the gospel ministry at the young age of 16 and then graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1963 and Jacksonville College in 1966. Mike joined the United States Air Force and, soon after, married Donna Swain of Waxahachie. While stationed at North Little Rock Air Force Base, he became a crew chief on a B-58 Bomber. Mike loved the Air Force and always carried a special place in his heart for the B-58 “Hustler.” The Thornhills had their first child, Christina, in 1969 and their second child, Jonathan, in 1972. Mike worked in Jacksonville, Arkansas as both a mechanic and a Reserve Deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office—all while continuing his pastoral ministry. Mike then opened his own automotive shop called The Covair Shop/John’s Auto Parts, specializing in Corvairs. In 1973, Mike and Donna moved back to Texas, settling in the Desoto/Glenn Heights area. Mike earned his Texas police officer certification and eventually became the first Chief of Police of Glenn Heights, TX. He served with the Glenn Heights Police Department until 1984. Bro. Mike had a passion for sharing the gospel with people. During his ministry, Mike pastored the following churches: Sand Springs Baptist Church, Mineola TX; Salem Baptist Church, Marvell AR; and First Baptist Church, Glenn Heights, TX (1976-present). Mike deeply loved his church family and truly loved serving as their pastor. He focused his ministry on teaching Christians how to live like Christ and how to study the word of God. Mike never met a stranger and was a friend to all. He made it his life’s mission to help those going through hard times. Mike truly had a song in his heart, and he could be heard whistling, humming, and singing much of the time. He trusted in the Savior at a young age and his joyful spirit was clear evidence to that fact. He enjoyed hunting every year with his good friend Bernard in Arkansas, a tradition that started in the 1970s. Mike also enjoyed traveling to the gulf coast of TX to go deep sea fishing and feed the sea gulls with his grandchildren. When at home, Mike spent much of his spare time in his office studying God’s word and preparing for sermons. Mike is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his precious wife of 54 years, Donna, his daughter and son-in-law Chris and Dean Stewart of Chapel Hill TX, son and daughter-in-law Jon and Jamie Thornhill of Lindale, TX, grandchildren Travis Stewart, Hannah Stewart, Sadie Stewart, Jenna Thornhill, and Jay Thornhill, great-grand children Ryker Lott and Canaan Cochran, extended family, church family, and numerous friends. The family will receive friends at West/Hurtt Funeral Home on Wednesday - May 04, 2022 from 5 - 7:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held at his church, First Baptist Church of Glenn Heights, with Bro. Buddy Johnson officiating on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow in the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials or donations be made in Bro. Mike's name to the First Baptist Church of Glenn Heights to further the ministry of the Gospel. Pallbearers for the service are Jay Thornhill, Dean Stewart, Tim Moriarity, Tim Rickman, Steve Stanley, and Bernard Burns.