Jalen Darroyce Thornton, 26, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on 2 May 1992 to Kelly G. Balfour (Newton) and Darroyce Thornton. He moved to Chicago, Illinois with his mother and Papi', Rahsaan (Rocky) Balfour at the age of 5 and he lived there until after graduating from Plainfield North High School in Plainfield, Illinois and enlisting in the United States Navy.

As a child he was always outdoors skateboarding, playing in the long summer twilights, only coming inside when the sun went down. He was a bright student and had a band of loyal friends, many whom he kept close into adulthood. He was strong willed with a quiet spirit and he enjoyed joking around with his friends. His teachers cherished him. When his parents decided to move from the neighborhood, one of his teachers volunteered to take care of him before and after school in order for him to remain in her classroom. He also loved playing basketball; he was so adventurous, with his small frame he even tried to play football.

At the age of 15 he gave his life to Christ and was baptized by Pastor Smokie Norful at Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Bolingbrook, Illinois. He loved his church, whatever Pastor Smokie needed he was willing to serve. He served on the Facilities Ministry, Youth Ministry and was on the Step Team. He was truly a nurturer. As a teenager he would take care of his little sister and little brother as if he was their father.

After serving in the United States Navy he moved to Tennessee with his brother Jerrick Balfour. That was his brother/best friend. They were inseparable until he met Charna. Jalen and Charna had two children, Ava and JD: Ava in 2014 and JD (Little Jalen) in 2018. He doted on his children, he loved them dearly, and he devoted his life to them, worshipped and idolized them. Jalen was a truly a devoted, fun-loving, father.

Jalen was such an impressable young man, not only handsome, Jalen was a life of the heart. He touched so many lives. He found great love, loyalty, tenderness, and compassion for all. He always put others before himself. He is at rest now in God's grace.

Memories will always be treasured by: his two children, Ava Thornton and Jalen D. Thornton, Jr.; fiancé, Charna Bynum; parents, Kelly G. Balfour, Rahsaan "Rocky" Balfour, Darroyce Thornton and Kristie Thornton; grandparents, Marva Parker, Rev. Thomas Parker, Jerome Newton, Renee' Newton, Rose M. Lee-Thornton, and Mickie Balfour; great grandmother, Glendora Johnson; sisters, Peyton Balfour and Kaleigh Thornton; brothers, Kendall Thornton and Jerrick Balfour; aunts, Kenya (Marcus) Givens, Jernae Newton, Tammy (Donald) Thornton; uncles, Damon (Dion) Newton, Jerome Newton, Richard Newton, Anthony Thornton, and Claude E. Thornton, Jr.; many more aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that will cherish his memories.

Funeral services Friday, December 28, 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church. interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.