Dr. Claiburne B. Thorpe passed away at his home on the morning of Tuesday, January 20, 2015. Born in Durham, NC, on June 30, 1923, the son of Ulysses Thorpe and Minnie Lyons Thorpe, he attended public schools in Durham, NC, and obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina Central University. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the New School for Social Research in New York, NY and became a university professor of sociology, psychology, and economics. His teaching career spanned NC A & T State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem State University, Denison University, South Carolina State College, Paine College, and the College of William and Mary. He authored and published a number of professional papers, as well as a textbook, and was on the Editorial Board of "Education," one of the oldest journals in academia. Over the years, Dr. Thorpe held memberships in professional and civic organizations including the American Sociological Association, the NAACP, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, in which he served as the Keeper of Records and Seals for his local chapter. He was also a commissioner with The Boy Scouts of America, and an ordained elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Granville, Ohio. He had multiple hobbies, including music, fishing, reading, and gardening. He had a penchant for architecture and contributed to the design of several homes, including two of the family homes, and he partnered with his wife to build a business in real estate. Dr. Thorpe leaves to his memory his wife, Dr. Vivian C. Thorpe; two daughters: Sharon Thorpe of Charlotte, NC, and Donna T. P. Daye (Earl) of Greensboro, NC; two grandchildren: Deidre P. Yancey (Danny) of Durham, NC, and Tyler C. Daye of Greensboro, NC; three great-grandchildren: Christopher Yancey, Olivia Yancey, and Cameron Yancey, of Durham, NC. He also leaves behind three sisters-in-law: Evelyn C. McKoy of Sanford, NC, Frances T. Thorpe of Brooklyn, NY, and Lula G. Thorpe of Cary, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, January 24th at 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 12 noon, both at St. James Presbyterian Church, 820 Ross Avenue, Greensboro, NC. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 North O'Henry Boulevard, Greensboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to "Presbyterian Men" at St. James Presbyterian Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.