Lon Hooper Thornton, III

LON HOOPER THORNTON III, went to be with our Lord on Friday, October 13, 2023. He was born on June 26, 1968 in White Pine, TN. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lynda Sue Bates Thornton; brother, Gregory James Thornton; aunt, Nancy Bolden; grandparents, James Bales, Tina Willie Mae Bales, and Gertrude and Lon H. Thornton, Sr. He is survived by his son, Lon H. Thornton IV; sister, Tonya DaLon Thornton Moyers (Anthony); mother of his son, Shonda Ferri; his father, Lon H. Thonrton, Jr. (Linda); nephew, Gregory Moyers (Abigail); nieces, Krista and LeAyn Moyers; great-nephews, Asher, Abram and Elim; great-niece, Eden;  aunt, Annita Walker; cousin, Bryan Bolden; half-sisters, Heather Thornton Sartain (Mark) and son Will, Kortney Thornton Stinnett (Robbie) and son, Brayden; half-brother, John M. Thornton (Cindy) and daughter, Camryn; special friends, Kim and Lynn Wilde, Mike Schrimsher, Jason Sweeton, Rob Shaw and Barry G. Kelley. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a BS in Science Botany and a Masters in Education. He taught one year at Bearden High School and nineteen years at William Blount High school. He attended Newport Grammar School and Cocke County High School. Upon graduation, he received a full football scholarship to Union College in Kentucky where he played defensive tackle and defensive end. Lon left Union College and walked on and played at the University of Tennessee. He later played semi-pro football. Lon loved all sports and coached baseball, basketball, and football, both at the high school level and for the Knoxville Recreational League. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Shady Grove Church in Dandridge, TN. Following the visitation, a  Celebration of Life will be held with Dr. Jason McIntosh and Dr. Jason Sweeton officiating. Special guest speakers will be Barry G. Kelley and Rob Shaw. There will also be additional services on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at The Vineyard Church on William Blount Drive. A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Jason MacIntosh and Dr. Jason Sweeton officiating. Special guest speakers will be Barry G. Kelley and Rob Shaw. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a college fund for “Little Lon.” Checks should be made payable to William Blount High School, and mailed to the attention of Dr. Jason Sweeton, 219 County Farm Road, Maryville, TN 37801.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28