Kerry Thornley Quotes

A collection of quotes by Kerry Thornley.

Kerry Thornley (1938-1988) was an American counterculture figure, writer, and co-founder of Discordianism. Born in California, Thornley served in the United States Marine Corps before becoming involved in various subversive activities during the 1960s. He gained notoriety as a key figure in the JFK assassination conspiracy theory movement.

Thornley was introduced to fellow writer Gregory Hill while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and together they developed a satirical religion known as Discordianism. They wrote the Principia Discordia, considered the sacred text of the religion, which blended elements of chaos, humor, and skepticism. Discordianism aimed to disrupt and challenge conventional thinking and authority.

Thornley's life took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that he had briefly known Lee Harvey Oswald during their time in the Marines together. This connection made Thornley a person of interest in the investigation into President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Though he denied having any involvement, Thornley was subjected to relentless scrutiny and questioning by law enforcement agencies, which took a significant toll on his mental health.

Despite his involvement in counterculture and the Discordian movement, Thornley struggled with paranoia and addiction in his later years. He died in 1988, leaving behind a complex legacy as an enigmatic figure associated with both conspiracy theories and alternative spirituality.