Eugene Frederick Thorne entered his new life in heaven on September 3, 2025, where he now celebrates with Clare, the love of his life. He patiently waited 5 years to join her and three of their children; Bridget Thorne, Gene Thorne and Anne Thorne. We rest contentedly in the knowledge that there was a joyful celebration in heaven that night as he crossed into his heavenly life.
Gene was born May 2, 1930, in Kansas City, MO, the third child of four, to Francis Xavier Thorne and Agnes Blanche (Garbriel) Thorne. His life was formed through the Great Depression and by the loss of his mother at the age of five. His father later married Sally Hartman and added another child to their family. They were raised with hard work ethic, where everyone contributed to the family unit on their two acres in Shawnee, KS. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and High School, where he excelled in basketball as the “St. Joe Hook,” then attending Rockhurst College for two years. On May 5, 1950, he married Clare Marie Growney and started a family. He began a career with International Harvester, holding numerous management positions. He transferred with International Harvester to Aurora, CO in 1960, completing his business degree at Denver University. In 1978, he began a career in real estate, eventually becoming a broker and managing offices for Eugene Brown, and later Caldwell Banker, traveling the Midwest. Gene was an accomplished, honorable and highly respected man in the business world, where people always knew they had his attention, respect and guidance.
Gene’s vocation and passion was his family. Gene and Clare had 7 children who they adored, and gifted with a life full of love, faith, fun and mutual respect. They lived in Aurora Colorado for 7 years, where their children’s lives were bursting with magical moments, such as sock fights, kick ball games, and days in the mountains far beyond a child’s dream. Upon returning to Kansas in 1969, his family settled in Roeland Park, where each of their children attended St, Agnes Grade School and Bishop Miege High School. He was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 6 great-children, who lovingly referred to him as “Paca.”
Throughout his life, Gene’s driving force was his Catholic faith. He was actively involved in each parish community he joined. You couldn’t call him a holy man because his faith was basically who he was to the core; never preaching, always living his mission, performing Christ’s work where it was needed. CFM, Cursillo, and Pre-Cana/Cana were just some of the organizations he worked with. In addition, he volunteered on youth group retreats, stocking food banks, and delivering food to the migrant workers. Each night, in the bustle of bedtime, his children were a witness to him kneeling at his bedside saying the Rosary. He truly loved Christ with a quiet, steadfast faith.
Left to celebrate his life well-lived are his children: Terri Kilgore (Charley), Brian Thorne (Deanna), Michael Thorne, and Karen Thorne.
Grandchildren: Leslie Milnes (Art), Linda Fenton (Michael), Steven Kilgore (Lyndsey), Paul Thorne (Baillie), Kristin Thorne, Erin Thorne, Lauren Owen (Miles) and Jacob Drumm.
Great-grandchildren: Joshua Gene, Sadie Makena, Francesca Grace and Callihan John Milnes; Declan Andrew and Aidan Charles Kilgore.
Gene was proceeded in death by his siblings: Francis X Thorne, Pat Bumgarner, Rosemary Probst and Joe Thorne.
Visitation: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 4-6:00 PM, Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa Kansas.
Funeral: Thursday, Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00 AM, Holy Spirit Parish 11300 West 103rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas.
Burial to follow the luncheon on Thursday 1:00 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers a charitable gift can be made to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.