Garland Max Thorn

Garland Max Thorn, M.D., 88, of North Little Rock, died February 26, 2012. He was born November 15, 1923 in Harrisburg, Ark. Preceding him in death were his parents, Sadie and Harve Thorn, sisters Nita, Maurine, and Margaret, and his brother, H.B. He was married for 52 years to his eternal sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Brigance Thorn of Marked Tree, Ark., who died in 2002. Max proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He served both stateside and in Japan. His sense of patriotism lasted his entire life. After the war, Max graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1949, and from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 1954. He served his internship and first year of a pediatric residency at Crawford Long Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. and the second year of the residency at the U of A Medical Center. In 1957, he and his classmate, Dr. Frank Stroope, founded the North Little Rock Pediatric Clinic. In 1964 he left private practice and joined the staff at St. Vincent Infirmary as their Director of Medical Education, recruiting interns and planning the training program. In 1967 he became an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Med Center and spent mornings seeing patients in their Outpatient Clinic. Also that year he was appointed by Governor Winthrop Rockefeller to the State Healing Arts Board. In 1972 he used his design skills and his gift for treating critically ill newborns by designing and implementing the first intensive care nursery in the state of Arkansas at St. Vincent. This new unit provided the latest monitoring equipment and a staff trained especially for intensive infant care. In 1973 he became the full time Director of Medical Affairs at St. Vincent, acting as the liaison between hospital administration and the professional staff. He retired from St. Vincent in 1991. Max was active in many civic organizations. He served on the boards of Camp Aldersgate, the United Methodist Children's Home, and the Arkansas Chamber Singers. He was a Paul Harris Fellow with the West Little Rock Rotary Club. Max was an active member of Lakewood United Methodist Church, having served on many of its boards and committees over the years. Max and Liz loved their time with family and friends at Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita. They also loved to travel to Razorback football and basketball games, or watch them on television with a very special group of fellow Hog fans. With a lifetime passion for woodworking, Max enjoyed spending time in his workshop. Upon retirement, he became a Pulaski County Master Gardner and helped landscape the Old Mill in North Little Rock. Later in life, he enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes and was an active member of M.A.R.C.S., the flying club. In 2003 Max was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. In 2009 he sold his home of 42 years and moved to Fox Ridge Assisted Living Center in North Little Rock. The family wishes to express their love and respect for the entire staff there, as well as a very special team of additional caregivers hired during his final months. Survivors include his children, Liza and Hank Godwin of North Little Rock, Julia and Dr. Gary Thorn of Fayetteville, and Clif Thorn and Jim Testa, of New York, N.Y. Grandchildren are Jason Godwin (Carissa) of North Little Rock, John Godwin (Anne) of Kansas City, Mo., and Max Thorn III, Audrey Thorn, and Andrew Thorn, all of Fayetteville. He also leaves several nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much. A celebration of Dr. Thorn's life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 1st, 2012 in the sanctuary of Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock, Arkansas, with Rev. Richard Lancaster officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at Griffin Leggett-Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Arkansas (501) 835-3515. Memorials may be sent to Lakewood United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 1922 Topf Rd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 or to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Cir., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.