Fred Hardy Thornberg, age 100, passed on peacefully Monday,
May the 4th, 2026. He was born in Granger, Utah September 15, 1925
to Gosta Sigfred Thornberg (Big Fred) and Mildred Hardy Thornberg. Fred married
Dana Nielson January, 3, 1946. They were
married for 70 loving years when she passed on January 8, 2017. He is survived
by his son Guy (Suzan), daughters Teresa Rush (Wayne) and Sydney Schoppert
(Lyle). Fred has 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren with one on its way.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Dana, daughter Karla Thornberg, Gosta (Father),
Mildred (Mother), brothers Mack (Lyle), Dean (Wanda), Ray (Glenda), Dick (Marlys)
and sister Johanna (Claude).
Fred was a General Building Contractor in Salt Lake City,
Utah and moved his family to Welches, OR in 1968 where he continued in the
building business. Fred was proud to be a Lifetime member of the Mount Hood
Lion’s Club. He was active in various community activities. Fred was an
excellent sportsman excelling in hunting, fishing and archery.
In June, 1943 he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard
and proudly served in combat in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. He
served on attack transports (Auxiliary Personnel, Attack) including the USS
Leonard Wood APA 12 and the USS Cavalier APA 37. He was promoted to Coxswain
and operated L.V.C.P.’s (small landing craft). Invasions include Makin Island
(Butaritari), Leyte Gulf, Lingayan Gulf and Subic Bay. He survived many
Kamikaze and bombing attacks. Sailing out of Subic Bay in January, 1945, his
ship (USS Cavalier APA 37) was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine RD-115 in
the South China Sea. Some injuries and no deaths. Fred was awarded many service
medals. He served until March, 1946.
There will be a graveyard service with military honors at
Willamette National Cemetery for the family.