Donald Edward Thornsbury Jr.

Donald Edward (Ed) Thornsbury, Jr., age 72, of Clovis, New Mexico, passed away on May 15, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas, following a courageous battle with frontotemporal dementia. Ed is survived by his loving wife Karen, his partner of 42 years; son Brett and daughter-in-law Morgan, along with granddaughters Eva and Caroline of Salinas, California; son Cody of Lubbock, Texas; his mother Faye Thornsbury of North Carolina; sisters Terri Lewis and her husband John of North Carolina, and Wendy Patrick and her husband Jim of Colorado; brother Jeff Thornsbury and his wife Sylvia of Massachusetts; sisters-in-law Cindy Thornsbury of Rhode Island and Leona Thornsbury of Tennessee; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Donald Thornsbury and brothers Steven and Chris.

Born in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1954 and raised in Tiverton, Rhode Island, Ed grew up with a deep love for the outdoors. He spent many happy days at the beach, fishing, camping, riding his bike around town, and enjoying time with family and friends. A true patriot, Ed proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1975 to 1979. He completed special forces Combat Skills and Terrorist Threat Training in the jungles of Panama and later served as a Security Policeman at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. He often said his time in the military was life-changing and carried the lessons from those years with him always. After an honorable discharge, he made Clovis his permanent home. He earned a Mid-Management vocational degree from Eastern New Mexico University. He began a long and successful 37-year career with Farmers’ Electric Cooperative as a Warehouseman and had advanced to Purchasing Agent before retiring. In 1984, Ed married Karen and together they built a loving family. Their two sons, Brett, and Cody were the pride and joy of his world. Determined that his boys would have every opportunity he didn’t have growing up, Ed became deeply involved in youth sports. He spent countless hours coaching AYSO soccer, Little League baseball, and both Play Inc. and AAU basketball teams. He served as both assistant coach and eventually head coach, traveling across New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle to support the kids. He also served as President of the Wildcat Boys Basketball Booster Club for the 2005-2007 seasons. 

After retirement, Ed and Karen finally enjoyed the Alaskan and Caribbean cruises she had long hoped for. He enjoyed those trips immensely and loved making new friends from around the world. Ed was also an avid golfer who relished every opportunity to get out on the course with his friends. He especially looked forward to his visits to California to see his son Brett, who built a successful career in the golf industry. Those trips gave Ed the opportunity to play some of the finest golf courses in the world while creating lasting memories with Brett and his friends.

Above all, Ed was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and Papa. He lived a passionate, fun-filled life and greeted everyone with a firm handshake, warm hug, or that big signature smile. He loved God, his country, his family, his friends and especially his music. He could pick up a guitar or harmonica and play for hours, and his Boston Red Sox loyalty was legendary—he’d wear that gear anywhere, anytime, no apologies. The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Fountain Hills Memory Care Assisted Living and Hospice of Lubbock for the compassionate care they provided during his final months. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 29th at 10:00 a.m. at Muffley Funeral Home in Clovis, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, the family respectively asks that you share a fond memory of Ed on the Muffley Tribute Wall, Facebook or by card.