Tributes

Truly a native son of Turlock, LaMonte was born at Emanuel Hospital on September 16, 1934 to Vernon and Helen Thornburg. Growing up with brothers Verne and Don, LaMonte knew the hard work that comes from living on his family’s dairy farm located on Tegner and Fulkerth Roads. He was very active in the local chapters of Future Farmers of America, winning several awards for the livestock he raised and showed at the Stanislaus County Fair. He attended Turlock Union High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Joselyn “Jo” Harden. While at THS, LaMonte was active in Junior Statesmen of America and won a statewide public speaking competition sponsored by the FFA. He was also active in the Turlock Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, serving as its Master Councilor. After graduating in 1952, LaMonte and Jo moved to Sacramento where LaMonte attended U.C. Davis, majoring in Agriculture. The couple married in 1954, and their first son Michael arrived three years later. While at Davis, LaMonte was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the University’s R.O.T.C. program, and then promoted to first lieutenant upon his graduation in 1957. With a Bachelor of Science degree in hand, LaMonte entered the United States Army as a Lieutenant in the Medical Services Corps, initially stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his son Russell and daughter Cheryl were born. LaMonte was then promoted to Captain and sent (with his family) to serve at the Army’s Medical Depot in Einsiedlerhof, Germany. Upon returning to the States in 1963, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for administrative excellence for his work in Germany, and continued his military service as Chief of the Supply Branch at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas. After his honorable discharge from the Army, LaMonte returned to California to work as a lending officer at United California Bank, first in Fresno, then Oakdale, then back to his home town of Turlock. In 1968, LaMonte became the Assessor, Collector and Treasurer for the Turlock Irrigation District. He was repeatedly elected to that position for almost thirty years, later also serving as Secretary to the Board. In 1993 he was appointed TID Assistant General Manager. During those years, LaMonte was an active member of the Turlock Rotary Club, serving as Treasurer and in 1980 as the Club’s President. He served on the Board of Directors for Emanuel Medical Center from 1980 through 1987, with one year as Board Chairman. Church community was also very important to LaMonte: he was a regularly attending member and served on the Vestries of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Turlock and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto. During his later years, he was a member and benefactor of Wellspring Anglican Church in Modesto. LaMonte had a persistent sense of humor, and kind word for everyone he met. When out and about, he proudly wore “not so conservative ties” (as reported in the Turlock Journal) that had been handmade by his mother, Helen. In retirement, he always had a jigsaw puzzle (minimum 1000 pieces) in progress, and loved having family crowded around his dining room table to work with “Papa” on the latest castle or countryside landscape. LaMonte was called by the Lord on November 6, 2025, while battling a sudden case of pneumonia at Emanuel Medical Center. He is survived by his wife Joselyn, his brother Don, his son Michael, six grandchildren (Brittany, Paetra, Monet, Cameron, Sienna and Adele) and three great-grandchildren (Bradley, Bella and Brook). LaMonte’s long and cherished life was a blessing to his family, friends, church and community. He truly exemplified the instruction given in 1 Peter 4:10 to be “a faithful steward of God’s grace."

Tributes

LaMonte Frederick Thornburg

September 16, 1934 - November 6, 2025