Thorn “Kwanee” “Sky Hawk” Heydon Sadly passed away at 9:30 am, Tuesday morning, February 27, 2024, at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana with his favorite person in the entire world, his mother, by his side as she held his hand in his last moments.
Thorn Bentley Heydon was born in Havre, Montana, on July 8, 1988, to Michael and Gail Heydon. He was a tribal member of the Gros Ventre’ tribe and extremely proud of his native roots and culture. After high school, Thorn did manager jobs but he was in the process of doing something he truly loved by trying to start up his own landscaping business. He settled in Miles City but found Jordan to be home for him as he loved the feel of “small-town life”.
Thorn was a shy, but happy kid as a youngster. Always smartly dressed and polite and incredibly helpful as well as protective, especially for his mother. Even though he was all these things, he was so quiet you would forget he was there. He would sit there quietly and just listen and learn. Thorn was full of curiosity for the world he lived in and always wanted to learn about new things, whether it was learning to cook from his mom or more on the mechanics’ side with his dad or taking off on the snowmobile at the age of 3 to just show everyone he knew that he could drive it on his own. Growing up his best friends in the world were his siblings, Rose and Levi, but he was especially close with his sister. Even his name went with his sister as his grandmother named him insisting that “Every Rose must have its Thorn.” Rose and Thorn were like twins, with similarities in all things. They shared the same ideas, the same inside jokes, the same friends, and even hobbies, shows, and music. They were always together and made sure to include their younger brother in everything they did, eventually coming to be known as the “three little kids”. Everyone knew them and was protective of them.
When Thorn was 15 years old he was injured playing basketball with his friends hurting his knee in the process, although he had surgery to repair the damage, it was the start of a string of health issues for the young teen. His knee was never the same and in that same year he was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which at the time, made him the youngest person to get it in Montana. This later added other health issues. In 2022 while working he was electrocuted, damaging his arm and causing heart problems making it almost impossible for him to work anymore. But this was this thing about Thorn, he never let the pain show and always had a smile on his face. Thorn never liked to argue and said, “Don’t argue and call names, but kill them with kindness.” He hated to see anyone sad and insisted on cheering you on and up. He easily made friends with everyone he met and was a people pleaser as he hated saying no to anyone. Every day he would get up, even if he could barely crawl out of bed, talk with his neighbors, help them with their needs, hold barbeques, and enjoy his time with the elderly. He always said he was an “old soul who lived in the wrong time”.
Thorn, unable to have children of his own, loved his nieces and nephews dearly, especially his little Sofia who wanted to learn anything and everything from him that he was willing to show her. She adored him as well. He always wanted to play and teach the kids new things and take them fishing or play silly games like “hunt the dinosaur”, never wanting his health to stop him from playing with his family.
Thorn had several hobbies he enjoyed; learning history and his native culture, biking, hiking, camping, landscaping, woodworking, collecting knives and guns, jewelry making, and collecting rocks and old coins. Going fishing was Thorn’s favorite pastime and he would go every chance he could get, even if he had to walk 2 miles on one of his bad days, it was always worth it to him. He and his best friend Blade would always find the time to go on the long walks to the river to fish as much as they could together. He was an avid music and movie buff and loved anime. A mizer to the core, Thorn was someone who hid his money away always trying to save it for when it was important to him. He loved Halloween and loved to dress up as he was a candy monster and loved to have his candy. He was especially in love with his dogs, Jericho, and then his last dog Jasper, they were his children and he loved them immensely.
He is preceded in death by his aunt Martina Russell, uncle Rudolph Buckman, grandmother Claudette Claymore, and aunt Simone Buckman.
Thorn is survived by his parents, Gail and Michael Heydon, brothers, Levi Heydon and Martin John Claymore (Demi Medina) children; Blaze, Stryker, Valencia, and Asher. Sisters, Starfire Wodrich (Travis Ellis) children; Koda, Rebeka, and Lilyan. Rose South (Scott South) children; Cassandra, Sofia and Xander. Cousins, Seth Buckman, children; Cymone and Tulia, Albert Jr. “Jack” Buckman, Aaron Buckman, Cari Gonzalves, Don Matthew Buckman, Dawn Marie Buckman, Brandon Cochran, Jessica, uncle Wade Buckman, aunt Alvina “Lady” Strohm, and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
We would like to thank West Med Surg at Holy Rosary for the care Thorn received during his stay there; Dr. Tun, Erin, Pam “Momma Bear” and Phil as well as the Chaplains who visited him and any other doctors, nurses and CNA’s that took care of him. We would also like to thank Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home for your assistance in this time of mourning.
A once-in-a-lifetime kind soul taken too soon…
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday March 8, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
401 Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday March 8, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
401 Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday March 8, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
401 Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday March 8, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
401 Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Oleta says
Thorn was amazing kid. I was lucky to be one to watch him and be in his life for a short time
Copper says
To thorns family I am so sorry for your loss. He was a really good guy. I met him at Wendy’s and we worked together for awhile. He was a kind soul and very nice. He will be missed
Jade Sooktis says
My prayers and condolences to Gail, Starfire, Levi and Martin John.. Thorn was a good friend and man..I am so very sorry for your loss
Karen Witt says
Gail and Family, my Deepest Sympathy 💐
Tera Stewart says
I am deeply saddened by this, Thorn was an amazing young man. So many people will miss him dearly. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Gail, Martin, Starfire, Rose, and Levi. Remember he will always live on within your hearts and your memories.
Jade Sooktis says
I forgot to mention Rose in my comments. I am praying for your family
Deana Johnson says
My deepest condolences and prayers to the family.
We will never for get the good times we had together and we will never for thorn he will always have a place in are hearts. And to the family we love and miss u all as well.
From Deana, Paul&kids
Emma Higgins says
Gail and Family, we are so sorry to hear of Thorns passing. Please know that we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Brittney McCracken says
I have known Thorn my whole life. He was a great friend and was always there when you needed a friend or hug. Rest Easy Thorn!
Judy Scott says
You will be Truely by us grandma Judy &family
B says
Thorn you will be missed but never forgotten. Your smile and laugh I will always remember although your time here was not long enough your in our Saviors arms with no pain. I hope heaven has a good fishing hole for you. To thorns family and friends may God watch over you in this time of need. Much love to all of. Your in my prayers
Kristine Nalton says
I am so so sorry to see this, it saddens me very much. Thorn was a very kind, and very sweet guy…. And nobody needs me to say it, but he definitely loved his mama. I remember one day when he stopped by my office at the Manor, and he was very excited because his mom was coming to visit that day, and he was sort of bragging her up, and I asked him “Thorn! Are you a Mama’s boy?” His eyes lit up, and he got the biggest smile on his face and he laughed and said very proudly “Yes I am!! And I’m proud of it!” And he laughed and told me he loved his mama…. I told him “Good for you Thorn!” And he laughed and took off out the door with Jasper.
Hugs to you Mama Heydon… Thorn will be very missed! My prayers are with you and your family! God Bless
Jason South says
Sorry to hear about Thorn. I only knew him a short while but he was good person.
Heather Brown says
I’m sorry for your loss..he was always smiling..happy go lucky..Do me a favor Thorn..let my dad know I miss him..Fly High cuz’nt..RIP
James Movius says
Gail, MJ, Starfire, Rose, Levi, and family- So very sorry for the devastating loss of Thorn🥲. Thorn is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people that I know. He lived a life of helping and serving family and friends. I always knew him to be so hardworking and happy to go to work in spite of not feeling well. I’m a better person for knowing Thorn and his wonderful family. Love and prayers from our family to you ❤️🙏
Asta Paulson says
Gail and Family, I am so sorry for the loss of Thorn. The heavens have sure gained a wonderful angel. All my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kasarah Shatzer says
Thanks for always being a friend Thorn, the memories from middle school playing quarters paper football with you and the during lunch, there was never a dull moment, in high when we’d play hacky sack and had a big group of friends, going to my wedding and dancing with me and always being in my son’s life as much as possible, thanks for always having my back, you will be missed
Gail Heydon says
My son Thorn… I miss you so much. Losing one of my children is hard and losing someone who was always so kind is heartbreaking. I miss our valley and hearing your voice al.ost daily. Spending those last two weeks was good and hard, but filled with lots of conversations about everything and anything. Missing your laughter and watching ttv shows together laughing and always trying to solve the crime before the show was over. Watching Legends from wrestling and going back through memory lane. Taking you outside and you enjoying the fresh air and also your dog Jasper was with us and you told him mush 🤣. Running all over the hospital trying to find you some sour candy but we didn’t locate any. Yes, I am going to miss you so very much. I’m glad that I got all those times of seeing you when I went to Miles City. I’m glad that I got to make you Macaroni salad and bought you a Banana Split to enjoy, you were quite surprised 😜. All I’ve got now is memories and 😭. I’m very sad and wonder why it had to be you, life is so unfair. Jasper is missing you lots and seems to be sad. Sofia misses you bunches too. Your brother Levi is also very sad and missing you. Life will be so different and maybe difficult at times. There is no more pain and agony for you anymore. No more loneliness of grandma and auntie Simone. May you enjoy your life on those Happy Hunting Grounds with all of our ancestors. May you rest in peace forever more. I’ll love you forever and ever my son. May the rest of my children live to be old and become grandparents and see their grandchildren grow up. Take care my son. Tell your grandma and auntie hello from me. I love and miss you all very much. Love Mom 🥰😪💔.
Gail Heydon says
My son Thorn… I miss you so much. Losing one of my children is hard and losing someone who was always so kind is heartbreaking. I miss our talks and hearing your voice almost daily. Spending those last two weeks was good and hard, but filled with lots of conversations about everything and anything. Missing your laughter and watching ttv shows together laughing and always trying to solve the crime before the show was over. Watching Legends from wrestling and going back through memory lane. Taking you outside and you enjoying the fresh air and also your dog Jasper was with us and you told him mush 🤣. Us running all over the hospital trying to find you some sour candy but we didn’t locate any. Yes, I am going to miss you so very much. I’m glad that I got all those times of seeing you when I went to Miles City. I’m glad that I got to make you Macaroni salad and bought you a Banana Split to enjoy, you were quite surprised 😜. All I’ve got now is memories and 😭. I’m very sad and wonder why it had to be you, life is so unfair. Jasper is missing you lots and seems to be sad. Sofia misses you bunches too. Your brother Levi is also very sad and missing you. Life will be so different and maybe difficult at times. There is no more pain and agony for you anymore. No more loneliness of grandma and auntie Simone. May you enjoy your life on those Happy Hunting Grounds with all of our ancestors. May you rest in peace forever more. I’ll love you forever and ever my son. May the rest of my children live to be old and become grandparents and see their grandchildren grow up. Take care my son. Tell your grandma and auntie hello from me. I love and miss you all very much. Love Mom 🥰😪💔.