Dr. Joseph Scott THORNTON Jr.

1936 - 2014

THORNTON Jr.,

Dr. Joseph Scott

A great father, mentor, philanthropist, and humanitarian has passed. Dr. Joseph Scott Thornton, Jr. died peacefully at his home on 23 November 2014 in Austin, Texas at the age of 78. Scott is survived by sons Joseph Scott Thornton III, Christopher Pearson Thornton, and Chris' wife Tiffany, as well as by two beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jacob.



Scott was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania on 6 February 1936 to Joseph and Evelyn Thornton. He graduated in 1968 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and proceeded to develop a series of unique engineering solutions and enhancements for industries and critical entities such as the US Navy. In 1975 he co-founded Texas Research Institute (TRI), later renamed Texas Research International. He engendered the employee-owned company with a culture of scientific excellence, encouragement, and trust. The company flourished over the years, with its service centers expanding into Asia, South America, and Australia while providing technical, scientific, testing, materials engineering, and consulting expertise to a diverse range of industries and government agencies. One of his many accomplishments was receiving an International Geosynthetic Society (IGS) Service Award in 2002 at the 7th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Nice, France.



Scott served as TRI's one and only President until his death.



Scott shifted his focus to the alcohol addiction recovery community that had assisted him during a time of need. Inspired by experience, in January 2004 Scott founded Volunteers at the Creek, a non-profit organization providing volunteer peer supported recovery programs and services for people suffering from alcoholism, substance use, and those who have both substance use and a co-occurring mental health condition (dual diagnosis). Its motto "Volunteers Give To Keep" truly encompasses Scott's vision. In 2008, the organization was renamed Communities for Recovery (CforR) and a community center was opened on the campus of ASH (Austin State Hospital). Through his leadership and energy, the organization expanded its programming and services throughout the Austin area. Scott was deeply involved in developing curriculum, volunteering countless hours working directly with those in recovery, and spearheading the accreditation by the Joint Commission. CforR received Joint Commission (TJC) Accreditation for Peer Recovery Support Programs earlier this year becoming the first Peer Recovery Community Organization in the US to receive this accreditation. His achievements were heralded on state and national levels. His contributions to the recovery community have impacted the lives of many.



Scott was a generous, witty and dedicated individual who loved working, solving problems, and helping others. A humble man, always requesting to be called just "Scott," he made all laugh and feel good about themselves. He had a way of nurturing others, celebrating their accomplishments, and making people feel part of a collective, accepting, and encouraging family and part of him. Occasionally, he could be found on hot Summer workdays, traveling the hallways of TRI pulling a wheeled cooler behind, passing out ice cream bars with a smile and a "thank you for working at TRI". The list of people whose lives he has touched is immeasurable, though he would surely find a way.



He has left us with a growing and robust international company (TRI) and an award-winning, deeply dedicated service organization (CFORR), but Scott's greatest legacy is the generosity, dedication, and service-orientation seen in his family, employees, colleagues, and friends. He will be greatly missed, but he will be with us forever as a first-leader and role model.



A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, December 12, 3:00 p.m. at 9225 Bee Cave Road, Building A, 3rd Floor with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Dr. Joseph Scott Thornton, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Communities for Recovery (www.cforr.org), 4110 Guadalupe St, Bldg. 635 , Austin, Texas 78751. His family would like to thank everyone who called, visited and held him within their hearts.