Ira A. Thorla, Jr.
Ira A. Thorla, Jr., 96, of Newland, North Carolina, passed away on June 24, 2018, in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange, Texas.

Born in Fisher, Louisiana, on December 3, 1921, he was the son of Ira Allen Thorla, Sr. and Lula Mae Goss. Ira was a member of First Baptist Church in Mauriceville, Texas. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 23 years, serving during WWII. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 64 years, Aurielie Thorla; and his siblings, Mildred H. LaCroix, Edith Doty, Bud Thorla, and Tom Thorla.

Ira is survived by his daughter, Rebecca A. Menefee and husband Roger, of Newland, NC; his grandchildren, Kerry Ann Anthony and husband Robert Bryan, of Newland, NC and Chet R. Menefee, of Banner Elk, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

At his request, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his wife, Aurielie “Lea” Thorla.