James Throne

March 5, 1935 to March 1, 2025

James Paul Throne, founder of Throne and Company, a merger and acquisition company, died after a brief illness at Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster, PA on March 1, 2025. The former resident of Stewartstown would have turned 90 on March 5th. He was the husband of the late Dorothy Mae (Thompson) Throne , who was a homemaker and Administrative assistant for Throne and Company. A devoted husband of 67 years, Jim met his wife while waiting for the bus at Kennard Dale High School. They raised five children together.

Born in West York, PA, he grew up in New Park, PA, being the only child of Robert J. Throne, owner of Throne Lumber Company, and Grace Walters Ritter Throne. As a young boy, during WW II, he contributed to the war effort by helping his mother search the skies for enemy aircraft by manning an observation tower next to Centre Presbyterian Church.

Jim started school in a two room building in New Park, then eventually attended The Blair Academy Presbyterian Private school in Blairstown, N.J. through 8th grade. There he learned activities such as golf and photography that he would pursue throughout much of his adult life.

He began high school at Delta High then transferred to the newly built Kennard- Dale in Fawn Grove. He was a member of the 1953 class, the first class to graduate from Kennard-Dale.

While in high school, he had a dark room in the basement of his parents' house so he could develop his own film and in addition was in charge of the photography for Kennard-Dales' first year book. His interest in photography continued throughout his lifetime. Daughter Jennifer recalls he always had a camera in his hands, showing the passion and skills he brought to photography.

In 1954, Jim enlisted in the army and eventually was stationed in Orleans, France, where his wife joined him and where their oldest daughter was born. While in France, Jim and his wife developed a lifelong interest in wine and wine making, which included tending a back yard vineyard and stomping their own grapes. The love of wine nurtured the entrepreneurial side of Jim, who at one point started a company named Orchard Valley Supply, aimed at home and farm vintners.

Using the GI-Bill, he graduated from Penn State University and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management (Marketing) with minors in economics and finance. As an undergraduate, Jim worked part time setting up the automated bookkeeping system for the State College Borough.

His early career (1960 to 1979) was spent working alongside his father, the owner and manager of Throne Lumber Company which had locations in New Park and Glen Rock. He continued in this business until the company was sold to the employees. He then started another business, Throne and Company, which he continued for 25 years until his retirement.

Jim had a strong sense of civic responsibility which included being Chairman of the Stewartstown Planning Commission and member of the Board of Directors for the York County Red Cross for many years.

"Dad loved to travel" says daughter Sandy. "He would spend hours researching destinations and combing through stacks of AAA tour guides and maps planning our annual two week family vacation. Each year he would pick a different state to explore which always included tours of companies like Kellog's or Ford Motor Company." Sandy's favorite trip was lodging at a horse farm in Kentucky and riding horses with her sisters.

His love of travel continued into retirement when he and his wife sold their home of 40 years and traveled in their RV for 12 years across the U.S., visiting most states and their capitals as well as many national and state parks.

Daughters Susan and Sandy both say that Dad was always up for learning something new and had a very open mind. Daughter Patty adds, "Growing up, the dance move called the Bump was the rage. Dad had no problem jumping in to dance with his daughters".

Patty also remembers one of the things she liked most about him is how his heart became more loving as he grew older, and he was able to express it more.

Jim is survived by four daughters and a son, Susan March of York, PA, Sandra Van de Streek of New Freedom, PA, Patricia Kettering of Millersville, PA, Jennifer Dandy of Joppa, MD and J. Robert Throne of New Park, PA, plus ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Jim's life will be held on April 26, 2025 at Centre Presbyterian Church at 83 New Park Rd, New Park, PA 17352. Visitation in the sanctuary will begin at 9:30 AM with the service at 10AM. Following this, a Military Honors Flag Ceremony and interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York. A procession will leave from the church and meet at the cemetery entrance located at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, York, PA for the funeral procession to the gravesite.

Here is a live Zoom Feed for those who cannot attend in person, but wish to attend virtually: James Throne Memorial Service Zoom Link

Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the services.