Thornton was born on June 6, 1936, in
Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from
Jonesboro High School in
Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1954. Thornton graduated from
Arkansas State College in 1958 earning the award as the top male student. After college Thornton became a sports editor at
The Jonesboro Sun and then at the
Arkansas Gazette. During his career Thornton served as alumni and public relations director at Arkansas State, sports information director at
Tulane University, executive assistant to
Walter Byers who was the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) executive director, associate athletic director at
Texas A&M University, and chief fundraiser at the
University of Alabama. He was named athletic director the
University of Miami in 1979, but had to back out after his wife became seriously ill. Thornton held the position of assistant athletic director at the University of Alabama for 18 years and was athletic director at Arkansas State University for three years. Thornton also served as the chief executive director for the
Memphis Showboats of the
United States Football League (USFL). Thornton was also part of the operations staff of the
NCAA basketball tournament for many years. Thornton is perhaps best remembered as co-host of
The Bear Bryant Show at Alabama. He also served as
athletic director at Arkansas State University from 1990 to 1993. Thornton is a member of the Hall of Fame of the College Football Sports Information Directors of America and a recipient of the Arch Ward Award. Thornton died on February 16, 2004, in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ==References==