James Thornton

I really miss you Jim you are the best.

I worked in his Advanced engineering group in the early 1980s at AMC/Jeep/Renault. He was a very gifted engineer and a very nice person who never looked upon anyone as a lesser being. He had a special Jeep Wagoneer that we put two fuel tanks in and it also had a cable attached to the distributor so they could adjust timing on the fly. He drove every day from Toledo to Detroit Amtek facility were we worked on many projects. It was a most memorable time in my life. Rest in Peace Mr...

I worked for Jim at Applied Technologies for over 10 years. He was truly a genius and he taught me so many things that helped improve my life. It was an honor to have known him and be able to learn from him.

Mr. Thornton was an amazing man. While I was only given a short time to have known him, he still has touched my life in ways to be seen. I know we both enjoyed watching the end of the race, the next day. But then again, I only watched the races with him. I would like to thank the family for having allowed me to not only meet, but care for Jim.

Jim Thornton was one class act. I knew him well in the years I tried lawsuits on behalf of Jeep in various parts of the country. He was my teacher, my technical instructor and an inspiration. I am a better person for having known Jim Thornton.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am forever indebted to Jim Thornton for his wisdom and his gentle manner and his devotion to the people around him. I worked for Jim and worked with him in later years. He was an inspiration in everything he attempted. My admiration and love for him is legion. Never have I met a man with more integrity. He put people first in every endeavor he was involved in. It has been said "you can only enter the gates of heaven on the arms of those you have served." You think those Hemi's were...

Our sympathy to the family. He sounds like a wonderful and amazing man.

Chuck and Julie Schroeder (Westlake,Ohio)

Jim was one of the great influences of my life when he hired me to work for him in 1973. My career flourished as a result of his guidance and inspiration. A life long friend, Jeeper, Skier, motorcycle rider, work partner and more. I cannot come up with enough words to express my admiration and love for this wonderful man. He had many great attributes, but foremost among them was "he cared about people more than product." People came first in Jim's life and there is no greater honor than...