Randy Thornhill, an acclaimed author who lived in Malakoff in his younger days, died at the age of 60 recently.

Thornhill, who died May 6 of head injuries sustained in a fall, wrote two novels in the Southern Gothic style that made the top 20 list in 2015 of the best Southern America novels ever written as compiled by Oxford American, the Southern literary magazine, The novels, “Wicked Temper,” published in 2012, and “The Kestrel Waters,” published in 2014, established him as a literary favorite, possibly a genius, in the later years of his life.

The author, who also wrote short stories, including “The Hole and Dobber’s Head” published a decade ago by Oxford American, became known as “one of the South’s wildest new voices” among fans of the Southern Gothic genre. He lived in Alabama since 2002, and late last year he gave readings from his two novels at the First Annual East Alabama Book Festival in Auburn.

Thornhill had just completed two movie scripts based on his novels, and he was at work on a third novel that would have completed a trilogy. Critics compared him to William Faulkner.

The author was born in California, but he moved to Malakoff as a youth to be raised by relatives. He spent various periods of his life in Malakoff, including a return in 2000 to restore the family home before his move to Alabama. He also lived in Oklahoma, graduating from high school there and later joining in the U.S. Army. Friends said his love of the South grew while serving in the military in Louisiana, Georgia and the Appalachian Mountains.

With most of East Texas settled by pioneers moving from the Deep South, the area reflects a Southern heritage that undoubtedly influenced Thornhill in his younger years. He worked in a variety of jobs during his life and locations, including a lengthy period in Los Angeles. He never attended college, but he ventured into acting and the writing of poems and song lyrics. He continued to act in community theater in Alabama.

At the time of his death, Thornhill lived on Auburn City Lake in Alabama with his dogs and cats. He married a Birmingham psychologist whom he met at a high school reunion, but they divorced.

There will be a private memorial service for Thornhill in June at the Cross Roads First Baptist Church near Malakoff. His ashes will be buried on the family ranch in Malakoff. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Great Pyrenees’ Rescue in his name are requested.