Thomas S. Thornton Jr.

He was born January 22, 1944 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, son of the late Thomas S. Thornton and Ruth H. Thornton Ogburn. After growing up in Winston-Salem and attending Reynolds High School, Tom continued his father’s legacy by enrolling at Duke University. He graduated in 1966 from Duke University with a degree in English. He attended Wake Forest Law School where he met his future wife, Nicka Thornton, to whom he was married in 1967.

Upon graduating from Wake Forest Law School in 1969. Tom and Nicka moved to Greensboro where he began his career as a Law Clerk to Chief Judge Edwin M. Stanley. Tom spent a majority of his thirty year career in private practice working with the then firm of Tuggle, Duggins, Meschan and Elrod before moving his practice to the Adams, Kleemeier, Hagan, & Fouts firm (now known as Nexsen Pruet). Tom loved the practice of law. He spent his career as a litigator focusing on the practice areas of Construction, Commercial, Business, and Bankruptcy law. The respect he earned from his peers allowed him to develop a successful arbitration practice during the later years of his career. Tom’s client base ranged from local Greensboro based companies to international construction firms headquartered from North Carolina to New York.

In addition to being devoted to his legal career, Tom loved his family. Tom and Nicka were married for 43 years before her death in July 2012. Together they raised three children in Greensboro. He worked diligently to provide opportunities and experiences for his wife and children. He took great pride in his family and all that they have accomplished and have become in life. Tom is survived by his son, Thomas Spruill Thornton, III, and his wife Wendy and their two children -- Ruby and Georgia of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter Shelby Thornton Patrick and her husband Chip and their two children -- Halsey and Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Michael Thompson Thornton and his wife Kay and their three children -- Charlotte, Harry, and Kemsley of Greensboro; and siblings Cal Ogburn, Molly Philo, and Elisabeth Thornton.

When not working or spending time with family, Tom loved being surrounded by friends and enjoying his passion for Duke sports, gardening, and watching and playing tennis and golf. Tom loved playing host for social functions and gatherings of friends at his home, at Smith Mountain Lake, or at the beach. Tom also traveled with his tennis group and his golf group in their annual “fuzzy ball” tournament. He worked hard and played hard, leaving not in ounce left in his tank, while living his life to the fullest.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 28th, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. The family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmer Room following the service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorials to: American Diabetes Association.

Online remembrances to the family may be made to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com