OKLAHOMA LAST MEAL
RICHARD THORNBURG, JR.
April 18, 2005

...Oklahoma's first of '06....

Last Meal: For his final meal, Thornburg requested a chicken dinner, potato wedges, apple pie and a Pepsi from Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The skinny: Thornburg was executed for killing three people in 1996. Thornburg and two accomplices shot the men after trying to collect a drug debt. One of Thornburg's accomplices faces execution, while the other is serving a life sentence.

More skinny: Thornburg had been shot about a month earlier, and believed one of the victims was responsible. The three killings occurred at the house of one of the victims, about 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The house was also set on fire.

The defendants held a fourth man, at gunpoint and forced him to shoot another man, who survived his wounds.

"Although he was shot in the chest, fortunately for us, the man managed to crawl out of the burning home and survived," said Grady County Assistant District Attorney Bret Burns, who prosecuted Thornburg. "If he hadn't survived, nobody would have believed this story."

Last words and such: While strapped to a gurney, Thornburg apologized.

"I just want to say I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused," Thornburg said. "I'm truly ashamed of my actions. I wish it could have been me. I'm sorry. I wish I could take it all back."

Some of his family wept as he strained to lift his head and look at them.

Factoids: Thornburg was the...

13th murderer executed in U.S. in 2006
1017th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
1st murderer executed in Oklahoma in 2006
80th murderer executed in Oklahoma since 1976

Oklahoma has executed 159 men and three women at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary since 1915. There are currently 90 men and one woman awaiting death sentences in Oklahoma.

We have never a seen an obit in a newspaper for an executed inmate....until now...

RICHARD ALFORD THORNBURG, JR.

Richard Alford Thornburg, Jr., 40, Lindsay, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2006 in McAlester, OK.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, April 20, 2006, in the Bradley Cemetery, with Rev. Jerry Auld officiating. Services are under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home in Marlow, Oklahoma.

Richard was born Friday, July 2, 1965 in Oklahoma City, OK to Richard Alfred Thornburg, Sr. and the late Sharon Marie (Anderson) Thornburg. Richard attended school at Alex. He lived in Lindsay most of his life. He married Ronda Childers on July 25, 1984 in Bradley, Oklahoma. He enjoyed fishing, volleyball, motorcycle riding and cookouts. Richard was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include, two sons, Richard A. Thornburg III of Lindsay OK; Brandon D. Thornburg of Lindsay, OK; a granddaughter; Father, Richard Thornburg, Sr. & wife Jean (Farmer) of Marlow, OK; Brother Roy L. Thornburg & wife Rhonda of Bradley, OK; Sister, Barbara J. Johnson & husband Tracey of Alex, OK; Ronda Thornburg Sanders of Lindsay, OK; Several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Grandparents, Dorothy & Peanut Thornburg and Frankie & Marvin Thompson.

Pallbearers will be Terry Mainka, Berry Stapp, Rodney Nye, Joey Johnson, Harold Prince and Roddy Childers.

Online condolences may be made to callawaysmithcobb.com