Joe David Thornton

Joe David Thornton was born on12/17/63 in Fordyce, AR, to parents Willard Ray and Bobby Jean Thornton. He grew up as the youngest in a family of four boys, including older brothers Tom, Jim, and John, and attended the University of Arkansas, where he met the two great loves of his life: the Razorbacks and his wife, Jennifer Thornton.

They embarked on a thirty-nine year journey that took them from Little Rock, Arkansas’ home-cooked meals and family holidays to St. Petersburg’s beaches (his personal favorite), to Nashville’s country scene – which was infinitely worse than the 80s rock he enjoyed – to Chicago where son Andrew was born, and finally to Memphis, Tennessee, where they had a daughter named Sydnie. Joe worked as a retail jewelry manager and eventually a car salesman but was happiest on lazy Sundays with his family.

He has passed away years too soon, but his family will carry these memories forward through the next seasons of life. To Jennifer, Joe passed along a love of live music and a peaceful home. To Andrew, he passed on a love of terrible football teams and a perfectly grilled steak. To Sydnie, he passed on a love of long Spring drives in his Corvette where she could daydream to her heart’s content. He is also survived by brother Tom (Karen), brother Jim, niece Brandi Lalli (Jon), nephew Derek Thornton (Christina), nephew Braden Blair, nephew Paul Blair, brother-in-law Keith Blair, and brother-in-law Craig Blair (Rita).

Joe often described himself as “a banana – just one of the bunch”, but he always improved whatever bunch he was in. He will be missed dearly, but the family takes great comfort knowing he’s home with the Lord.