Among them: Thornton was also known for his support of local musicians and many have fond memories of days playing at Thunders, including both Fowler and Rob Blackman, a Pascagoula native and now an Ocean Springs alderman. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). There are probably thousands of stories the citizens of Pascagoula could tell you where Thunder stepped up to the plate and paid for things he didnt have to, but did it out of the kindness of his heart.. . The location is about 10 minutes closer to Chattanooga than Jasper Highlands. "Like at Jasper Highlands, we want to offer seclusion without isolation," Bradshaw said in a phone interview. Many are still working -- some remotely, and some still going to offices. And if I wanted to sell them, I could. I am responsible for this land's future. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Thornton says he will sell a few more and put two or three aside for himself. Thornton companies to pay $50,000 to settle state's - PressReader Despite his intimidating size and sometimes gruff demeanor, however, Thornton is remembered for being of generous spirit, always willing to help. I didn't want to agree to any punitive damages, because I didn't do anything wrong. They are about $5 million apiece. They "tripled down" on advertising, not knowing how long COVID would last. Before moving to Everlan, he owned a townhome in East Ridge. After developing Jasper Mountain into one of the South's biggest mountaintop residential developments over the past decade, John "Thunder" Thornton is planning a similar development just 9 miles to the southwest atop Aetna Mountain. However this isn't This case. He has also served on boards at UT Chattanooga and is an active civic leader in Chattanooga. I often think of UT as standing for Utter Tenacity, Dickey told 2015 graduates. Thornton previously had won a judgment against the businesses, but sought a personal judgment against the Maryville developer, as well. But when, after major back surgery, he fell at home, laying on the floor for hours until help arrived -- Wilson took the initiative to find a place that offered support. The reason he often is assumed to be a UT alumnus may be associated with his unprecedented $1 million gift in 1995 to fund the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center on the Knoxville campus. They do not actually innovate anymore because they spend their resources maintaining a monopoly and not creating a better product. I remember catching something on TV a couple years back highlighting John "Thunder" Thornton's massive 25,000 SF home. "Everything was so light and airy and fresh and new," she remembers. Just off of the Interstate 24 Haletown exit, Exit 161, River Gorge Ranch will be about a 20-minute drive to Chattanooga and will offer a similar appeal to what has drawn retirees and other homebuyers from 48 states and eight different countries to Jasper Highlands, according to Dane Bradshaw, president of Thunder Enterprises. Burial will be next week in Carthage, Miss. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He has served on the UT Board of Trustees, as chair of the UT Athletics Facilities Capital Campaign, as chair of the UT Development Council, and as cochair of the womens athletics Development Campaign. Jasper Highlands Selling Out So Thunder Thornton Starts Development Of After a slow start, Jasper Highlands has nearly sold out in recent years, with nearly $180 million of property sales on Jasper Mountain on the Cumberland Plateau just above Kimball. ", Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Under Holt, enrollment tripled; faculty and staff doubled; eight new buildings were added to the Knoxville campus; funding increased 400 percent; the Martin campus added graduate programs; the Space Institute was established in Tullahoma; the formerly private University of Chattanooga became part of the new UT System; and a distinguished science program was initiated in cooperation with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. All rights reserved (About Us). Bradshaw said. Knoxville, TN 37902 Thunder Thornton, Thunder Enterprises: Profile and Biography [2] He is also executive chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation [3] [4] and non-executive chairman of PineBridge Investments. John Thornton, the owner of Thunder Enterprises, said he expects Aetna Mountain to double the amount of the investment in Jasper Highlands, a similar mountaintop gated community that Thornton developed over the past decade just 9 miles further west along Interstate 24. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. These tracts are the most valuable on this entire ranch. All of them.". In 1984 he founded American Rug Craftsman, the nation's largest producer of decorative floor mats. Johnny attended Pascagoula Schools and was an outstanding football star tackle. Most of the tenants were much younger, and she felt as if there was nothing for her to do. Companies tied to Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a state of Tennessee complaint alleging legal violations over the Jasper Highlands water system. Thornton said he envisions selling the 2,500 or so home lots over the next seven to 10 years. His novel All the Pretty Horses won the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1992. All rights reserved. ourtennessee@tennessee.edu, A History of Generous Giving Means a More Prosperous Tennessee Future. He traveled with Chinese president Jiang Semin on his historic visit to the United States. Mr. Thornton opened the liquor store across the street from the Tavern in 1985. Manning, Thornton would say in the telling, enlisted the freshmans help in signing some of the thousands of autographs Manning would receive in those days. I didn't commit any fraud.. "My intention is to give these tracts to either the Nature Conservancy or the Jackson Hole Land Trust. Some residents of the mountaintop community of Jasper Highlands are upset with developer John "Thunder" Thornton, saying his company is using heavy-handed tactics in business disputes. She described her journey to success as years of hard work, including odd jobswaitress, receptionist, driver for a tofu sandwich truck, products sales clerk in grocery stores, custodian, and performing as Barney the dinosaur and Shrek the giant at childrens parties. ", "It was a combination," she recalls. John 'Thunder' Thornton wins $15.4M judgment against Mike Ross John 'Thunder' Thornton wins $15.4M judgment against Mike Ross, Tennessee suspends sales tax on groceries for 3 months, UPDATE: Volkswagen Chattanooga employees, and driver identified, Woman abducted in Chattanooga and beaten for four days, Georgia medical marijuana stores open, ending long struggle, High school senior graduating two years early offered admission at more than 170 colleges and more than $9 million in scholarships, New details on two Hixson Elementary employees under investigation, One killed, two injured when vehicle hits pedestrians near Volkswagen plant, Chattanooga police make arrests in Saturday shooting/pursuit at Hamilton Place Mall, Coalmont Elementary closing at end of school year, Great week for restaurants in the Tennessee Valley, no restaurants fail inspections, Opening weekend for the Chattanooga Market, Chattanooga Radio Control Club hosts free flying event, East Ridge City Library Celebrates 50 years. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Prices range from $3 million to $6 million. Black Creek Mountain development atop the Raccoon Mountain ridge west of downtown Chattanooga. Jan 15, 2015 0 For John "Thunder" Thornton, winning a multimillion-dollar personal judgment against Mike Ross was both a matter of principal and principle. Buyers are eager to find a dream home in scenic Tennessee, and were able to offer them a great extension of the community weve created at Jasper Highlands., A man told police that a woman was seen by a neighbor on the back porch of his property. Bob Tamasy: What Does A Life Worth Living Require? JohnThunder Thornton is a Chattanooga developer who needed broadband, high-speed internet access to his residential development in the Jasper Mountain area of Marion County. "People just wanted to have their own space and start planning retirement and getting out of big cities.". Unlike Jasper Highlands, River Gorge Ranch will include sidewalks and bike paths through most of the developed areas. The 8,893-acre mountain community at Jasper Highlands is currently home to about 350 residents. He lost to the bigger money of the telecoms. It is pretty crazy eating at the Boathouse and seeing that giant place just across the river. Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340. The 49-year-old started his own business selling knockoff rugs,. With 40 homes already built or nearly finished and a dozen more homes starting to be built, developer John "Thunder" Thornton said he also is planning some more amenities to the top of the Cumberland Plateau in the next year to bring modern conveniences and recreation closer to those living in the gated community. Not in terms of acreage. Nobody has ever given away $35 million worth of property to a conservation easement before. Although Florida regained its title in 2022 as the top destination for retirees, the Chattanooga area continues to draw more residents to senior living communities, ranging from gated, mountaintop developments like Jasper Highlands or a growing number of independent and assisted-living senior housing complexes. Ultimately, the development is expected to top $750 million in investment, with most homes ranging from $400,000 to $2 million in value. "Neighbors come by to say hello, or go to dinner," she says. His floors were made of fossils and other crazy shit. Developer John "Thunder" Thornton said his Jasper Highlands community is selling out much faster than expected, and he has acquired another 7,400 acres of mountaintop land in Marion County. Seniors can continue to live an active lifestyle, without the worry. Thunder's Liquor - a Legend Continues | Our Mississippi Home Eventually he. Similar to the Harps, Juanita Jezek knew she had found her new home the moment she walked through the front door. "That's why I think Jasper Highlands was so successful, and we hope Aetna Mountain will be as well.". Unfortunately, Comcast isnt the only telecom with monopoly greeds needs and soAT&T launched their corporate hyena squadand threw around some big moneyat and into Chattanooga. "There are a lot of springs and creeks and the views are just incredible. Funeral services are set for Sunday at OBryant-OKeefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. "Independent living wasn't 'a thing' when we were growing up," says Fincher, a baby boomer herself. UT's big boosters need to loosen control like Alabama did and hire "Peace: How Do We Keep It?" Jim Sasser has accomplished much, but being a University of Tennessee graduate does not make the list. The East Tennessee site of Thornton's latest development is nearly 2,000 miles from the Crescent H ranch at the Grand Teton mountains in Wyoming that Thornton developed 25 years ago. The federal government owns 97 percent of the land in and around Jackson Hole. Forbes: These 9 billionaires call Tennessee home Jasper Highlands Adds 250 Lots, Cafe, Cottages and Other Amenities Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Atop Aetna Mountain John "Thunder" Thornton, CEO of Thunder Enterprises, discusses his next project. "Jasper Highlands has been a tremendous project, but this could easily be double that investment," Thornton said in a recent interview about his latest project. John Thunder Thornton is on Facebook. Every place his eye falls he owns. He also fought to include African Americans in state delegations to NEA conventions and later persuaded UT trustees to integrate undergraduate education, admitting the first African American students in 1961. Thornton and Guerry join three other previously named UC Foundation life trustees: Max Bahner, Joseph Decosimo and John Guerry, who is Zan's uncle. He believes this woman was attempting to break into his home. Last year, the governor came in at No. People from around the country and the world are choosing to spend The lawsuit went to trial in Marion County in December, and a consent judgment of more than $15.4 million including costs and attorney's fees was entered against Ross, who represented himself during the trial. Knoxville, TN 37996 The Top of the Rock restaurant built at the entrance of Jasper Highlands "has been a huge success," Thornton said, and he hopes to have similar amenities atop Aetna Mountain. 12When John "Thunder" Thornton bought Jasper Mountain in 2008 to develop one of Tennessee's biggest mountaintop communities, the Chattanooga developer initially encountered some skepticism. 2101 HIGHWAY 220 LAVINIA, In 2017, the Harps decided Tennessee was the place to be, and began building their "forever home" in Jasper Highlands -- a high-end mountaintop retirement community in Kimball overlooking the Tennessee River and Nickajack Lake. As Chief Executive Officer John "Thunder" Thornton, a Blount County native, put it, Bradshaw is the company's "captain.". "There was the lower cost of living. John C. Thornton has been chief executive officer of Thunder Enterprises since he founded the company in 1991the first of many successful business ventures he established. They lost all of their lawsuits because all of their lawsuits were lies based in bigger lies, on top of a corporate lawyer sitting onPinocchiosnose. A bankruptcy trustee was to sell it to satisfy $30 million in claims. 865-974-5179 Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. In late June, Thornton completed a court-ordered transaction in bankruptcy proceedings after 10 months of legal and personal negotiations. Cleveland's Allan Jones Buys Thornton Ranch At Jackson Hole You have permission to edit this article. Chattanooga businessman and developer John "Thunder" Thornton is proposing to subdivide his 10-acre Riverview estate. Andy Holt Groundbreaking for the Wolford Family Athletic Center Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. At the gated entrance to the community, a commercial village is planned with a restaurant, rental cabins, health spa and store to serve both residents and visitors at River Gorge Ranch. Rest easy, Big Fellow. John C. Thornton is chairman of Thunder Enterprises, an investment and real estate development firm in Chattanooga. Chattanooga, Tennessee, had some great success bringing the fastest internet to its municipality by created its own broadband service. Bill Gates claimed the title of the richest person in the world for the fourth year in a row and for the. DISORDERLY CONDUCT more, Two teenagers were arrested in a "KIA Boys" auto theft attempt. John Lawson Thornton (born January 2, 1954) is an American businessman and professor and director of the Global Leadership Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Although there are several multimillion-dollar homes on the brow built or planned at Jasper Highlands, the average 2,000-square-foot home at Jasper Highlands is priced at about $650,000. , . Some discovered their passions that would carry them to fame and fortune. A 2003 visit to El Paso with his young son inspired his 2006 post-apocalyptic novel The Road. John C. Thornton's House in Chattanooga, TN (Bing Maps) The developers had to build a road up the mountain, along with building their own utilities, from water to high-speed internet service. - After investing nearly $55 million building roads, utilities, parks and even a fire hall, developer John "Thunder" Thornton's decade-long dream of building one of Tennessee's biggest mountaintop communities is taking shape and growing along the Cumberland Plateau. She does all the exercise classes, takes tap dancing, will soon give Zumba a try, plays cards and enjoys her monthly book club. I played there myself from the late 90s until about the mid-2000s.. Plus, with remote work growing in popularity, people had more freedom to move and explore without giving up their paychecks. Sasser was trapped inside the besieged embassy for four days. Our community's wide-open spaces, scenic views and amenities align with what's important to them.". Fincher says her oldest tenant right now is 98 years old; and she has about eight residents who are in their 50s, the youngest of whom is 54 years old. In 1984 he founded American Rug Craftsman, the nations largest producer of decorative floor mats. Outside the mountaintop gate, developers hope to begin construction by this summer of a restaurant for their new development, which will be open to both residents and visitors. Census data predicts that by 2030, in a historical first, the United States will have more people over the age of 65 than children under 18. John "Thunder" Thornton was one of those people. Because of its proximity to Chattanooga, River Gorge Ranch may also attract a bigger share of working-age residents, Thornton said. "The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history," says Jonathan Vespa, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. Road crews are already expanding and upgrading an old logging trail used when the site was first developed nearly a century ago for coal mining and was later used to harvest timber for Bowater. John 'Thunder' Thornton wins $15.4M judgment against Mike Ross His brown eyes almost gleam. "We think we will offer a luxury, first-class mountaintop gated community at a very affordable all-in price, and being located in Marion County, the property taxes will be lower than in most of the country.". Thunder has been an icon here in the city for many, many, many years, said Pascagoula mayor and lifelong Thornton friend Dane Maxwell. A high-profile Chattanooga developer has won a multi-million-dollar judgment against Rarity Communities developer Mike Ross, but whether he collects it is another question. "Since the onset of the pandemic, we saw a dramatic increase in sales because people are looking for a different type of lifestyle. The location and expanse of the development helped produce its new name - River Gorge Ranch. "I can't take credit for this, but someone once said that when you acquire land you are buying its past and are responsible for its future. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. There is no visible damage to the residence. "We've continued to see record-breaking sales in 2021 as we did last year," Bradshaw said. They discovered a show put on by Ideal Living Magazine, offering promotional materials for retirement communities throughout the country. Since then, Thornton and Bradshaw say more than 250 lots have already been sold. I was googling My name too see how many others there were in this country. The complaint says the development, which is owned by John "Thunder" Thornton of Chattanooga, is charging water rates not approved by the commission. The legend of Thunder's started with John "Thunder" Thornton, who opened Thunder's Tavern in 1977. "It's a beautiful piece of property with 23 miles on the brow, with three-fourths of the brow lots looking down on the Tennessee River Gorge. The wealthy elite are buying up what is left of Jackson Hole, driving land prices up astronomically. The settlement is contingent on the sale of the Marion . Just off of the Interstate 24 Haletown exit, Exit 161, Thornton said the features of the property resemble what has drawn buyers from 47 states and a half dozen countries to Jasper Highlands: seclusion without isolation. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "I thought 'This can be home.'". Join Facebook to connect with John Thunder Thornton and others you may know. Life Trustees - UTC Magazine The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. John 'Thunder' Thornton, Developer PHOTO COURTESY KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL The lots in Jasper Highlands typically range from 1 to 5 acres in size and sell anywhere from $70,000 for interior lots up to more than $800,000 for some of the prime bluff-view lots near waterfalls. AKIN, PEYTON KYLE Jasper Highlands adds bigger, secluded lots as mountaintop community A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan, Mr. Thornton was president of American Rug Craftsmen, Inc., and he has been involved in numerous land development ventures in Wyoming and Tennessee. Ways to get involved in the upcoming elections. John Thornton, a native of Maryville, Tenn., never made it on to the Forbes 400 list--but he's certainly not hurting for cash. "That's why I think Jasper Highlands was so successful, and we hope Aetna Mountain will be as well.". Thornton Center - University of Tennessee Athletics Two of his short stories that first appeared in the universitys literary journal, The Phoenix, received awards and acclaim that launched his writing career. His death was announced Wednesday on the Facebook page of Thunder's Tavern, the Pascagoula night spot and live music venue he had owned since 1977. People just like to enjoy the outdoor environment up there.". In 2009 W. Allan Jones Jr. of Cleveland, Tennesseefor whom the Allan Jones Aquatic Center is namedpurchased the Crescent H Ranch. All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I've lived in Hawaii and Jackson Hole; and I've been going out to Wyoming for 42 years now. Then there are individuals such as John "Thunder" Thornton, a significant UT donor who has made a wealthy career through being a high-profile Chattanooga developer and founding Thunder . He continued to operate the guesthouse and created a low-density development. Grand Teton Cash Machine - Forbes Andy Holt was born in 1904 in West Tennessee and came from a family of educators. A former member of UT's Board of Trustees, Thornton and his family have served the University well over the years and his legacy will be reflected in the lives of each of the young student-athletes served within the facility. I wanted nothing more than to pursue my dream of acting, which I learned here at the University of Tennessee, she told the December 2015 graduating class at commencement where she received an honorary masters degree in fine arts. Developer wants to sell mountaintop system for $2.39 million to Tennessee American. Age at Arrest: 25 years old 865-974-1000. The first lots in the Aetna Mountain development are expected to be ready for sale sometime next year and the entire project is likely to take seven to 10 years to sell out, Thornton said. Can you donate $3 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? Ideal Living partners with RetireTN, a state program designed to attract new retirees to senior communities across the Volunteer State. But once they walk through the front door, they begin to feel more accepting of the idea. Her family agreed it was time for her to come live close by. $15.5M judgment awarded against Maryville developer | News "It's the people that make it really great.". He lived for his business.. At the time they began building, there were fewer than 40 homes atop Jasper Mountain. What they did know was that people were stuck in front of their computers, with plenty of time to dream about retiring. "Kos" and "Daily Kos" are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC.
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