ROCKDALE —Robert Edward Thornton, 83, of Lexington died Monday in a Houston hospital.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with the Rev. Linda O’Neal officiating.

Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.

He was born May 13, 1924, in Malone to John Jefferson Thornton and Carrie (Wooley) Thornton. He served in the Merchant Marines as a radio operator. He married Elza Bess Tally on Nov. 12, 1944, in Lexington. He moved from Lexington to Houston, where he resided for 60 years. He was an electrical engineer for his own business, Robesco, before retiring and doing consulting work. He was a member of the Belair United Methodist Church in Houston.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula T. Beall.

Survivors are his wife of Houston; a daughter, Norma A Bracy; two sisters, Mildred Morris of Temple and Dora Durham of Colorado; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.