John S Thornton Jr.

John S Thornton, Jr. was born on July 27, 1942, in Columbia, Mississippi, to Alma Pope and John S Thornton. He was the eldest and only son in their family. John inherited his mother's love of education and enjoyed being in school. He often told stories about being in the high school marching band and never having a uniform long enough to fit his 6-foot-6-inch stature. How befitting in his later years, as he was instrumental in raising funds for new uniforms for the infamous Muskegon Heights High School Marching Band and establishing the Muskegon Heights Band Parents Association along with his wife, Rose.
Like many young people in the South during the sixties, John left Mississippi to find work and better opportunities in the North as a part of the Up from the Bottoms movement. Since his aunt lived in Muskegon, he chose to come to Michigan so he would have family support as he got on his feet. During his early years in Muskegon, he married Bobbie Perry, with whom he had his oldest daughter, Tracie Lynn.
In the early seventies, he met and married his dance partner Rosie Lee, who would remain at his side for fifty-two years. You couldn't go to a community event without seeing them together. They were always the life of the party, and it was said that "The party didn't start until the Thorntons walked in." To this union, they welcomed their two children, Kaja Michelle and Shaun LaDale.
Many may know him as a hall monitor walking the hallways of Muskegon Heights Public Schools, or you may have known him, or worked with him at Dilesco Corporation. Where he started as a laborer and worked his way up to become the lead foreman. A testament to his work ethic and ability to lead and mentor others.
On the cusp of their retirement, Pops (as he was affectionately called) and Rose founded the Adult Foster Care Home JBC (named for the beloved neighbor John B). Their love of supporting and caring for an underrepresented population enabled them to care for more than 25 residents with disabilities and mental illness for over 30 years, from 1993 to 2023. This passion represents a historical barrier broken by being the first African American owners of a specialized residential facility in Muskegon County.
John also served the community in many other capacities. One of his favorites is as a long-time member of the Muskegon Heights Optimist Club. It should be noted that his absolute favorite membership was what he called "The Morning Breakfast Club," where he and his fellow retirees would meet every morning for coffee, an egg McMuffin, spending hours solving the problems of the community and the world. You couldn't tell him he wasn't the mayor of Muskegon Heights. "Big John" could be found on the highest row of the bleachers of CF Bolt Gymnasium, watching the Heights Tigers basketball team and cheering them on to victory by coaching from the stands.
John was an avid bowler and golfer, and you knew it was Thanksgiving when he came home from Meijer with a bag of sweet potatoes and bottles of brandy, so he made his world-famous, brandy-soaked sweet potato pies. Most of the time, people wouldn't even take the time to cut the pies; they just grabbed a fork and started eating them right from the tin.
Left to cherish his memory and hold his life-lessons are his children, Tracie (Alvin) Webb, Kaja Thornton, and Shaun (Tera) Thornton. His grandchildren, Kelvin Webb, Alicia Webb, Rachel Webb, Kailyn Daniels, Serinus Daniels, Donovan Daniels, De'Shaun Thornton, and Tahnya Thornton. Great-granddaughter Kinsley Lynch (Issababy). His cherished sisters Evelyn Lee, Ada Kay Lee, and Joycelyn Elaiho. Whom he loved dearly. A host of nieces and nephews, along with several sets of godchildren, both young and old, whom he loved like his own.