Donald Clark Thornton

He and Jeanette Phillips were married for 60 years.They were married on November 23, 1963. They had two children, Andrea Bizzell (Michael) and Phillip Clark Thornton (Elizabeth). Andrea has one daughter, Savannah, and Phillip has one daughter, Caitlyn. These two grandchildren were the light of Donald's life and his hobby.

Donald attended the Jackson Public Schools, The University of Mississippi, Millsap's, and Mississippi College, and Mississippi College law school along with Jackson State University. He received his undergraduate degrees from Mississippi College and advanced degrees from MC. He was a teacher, counselor, publications advisor, coach, assistant principal, and principal for the MPSEA and for the Jackson Public Schools, retiring in 2002 from Principal of Forest Hill High School. Donald was very proud of the award he received in 1991 and 1992 from the National Association of Secondary School Principals as Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Mississippi and of the Executive principal title he held with the school system. He was also named as the Administrator Mentor for the Jackson Public School. He often spoke of the wonderful teachers and administrators that he was fortunate enough to be associated with in JPS. These were his extended family and friends. Even though he did not see or speak with them often, he thought of them daily.

After his 2002 retirement, Donald worked for eight years with JBHM education group, a school improvement company. Donald believed that this company, this group of educators, had the answer to America's education woes. He was excited to be associated with a group of educators who had as its only focus student learning.

After retiring from JPS and during his work with JBHM, Donald managed the family owned businesses, which began in Jackson in the 1950s.

In lieu of flowers, please create a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

A visitation for Donald will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209 and Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. A pavilion service will occur Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Donald will be laid to rest in Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Blvd., Jackson, Mississippi 39209.