- Date Of Birth: February 17, 1951
- Date Of Death: September 18, 2019
- State: Mississippi
Popular Pascagoula native and business owner passed away after a longtime battle with diabetes. He passed away at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula on Wednesday September 18, 2019. Johnny, and best known as “Thunder” Thornton was owner of “Thunder’s Tavern” on Market Street. Johnny was born on February 17, 1951 in Carthage, Mississippi. His parents were Walter M. and Doris Pepe Thornton. Johnny attended Pascagoula Schools and was an outstanding football star tackle. He received a football scholarship to Ole Miss playing under Coach Johnny Vaught and playing with Archie Manning. He later graduated from Southeastern Louisiana with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, Walter “Waldo” Thornton, Jr. and longtime companion, Suzanne Walker.
He leaves behind two aunts, Norma Thornton of Gautier and Christine Fun of Arkansas; a sister in law, Sherri Hodges Thornton of Pascagoula, along with several cousins, Eddie Thornton, Glenda Chappell, Judy Caston, Sandy Duncan, Charlotte Copeland, Becky Beckham, David Thornton, Gary Thornton and Mitchell Thornton. There are many friends who also mourn his death, especially his dog Danny.
