George W. Thornton, Sr.

George Washington Thornton Sr. was born on February 22nd, 1945, in Lawrenceburg Indiana to Gladys & Russell Thornton (Sr.). George was the third child out of eleven children. Even with having such a large family Georges’ mother Gladys was able to point out each of her children’s distinct qualities as she always said that “George was the child that didn’t like to get dirty”. Once he had on his Sunday best he couldn’t be touched. This quality followed him all throughout his life because George was always a sharp dresser. George & his family only spent five years in Indiana after his birth. During the winter of 1950 they moved to Jim Town, a suburb in Lexington, KY. The snow level was so high that winter you could use it to walk over a fence. George spent a lot of time during his formative years learning how to work in the fields with his father Russell and his brothers. He learned to crop vegetables along with feeding the animals that they raised. George experienced what being a hard worker was at a very early age. Which would pay off later in life as he started many businesses by hand because of his endurance and determination. In his early adult years George was a refuge collector for the city of Lexington for 15 years. He would taunt his coworkers & empress his customers with his sharp skills and playful nature by carrying the garbage tub on his head. After 15 years of working for the city George decided to use the knowledge & skills that he gained to start his own company which was named the “Thornton Sanitation Company” in 1979. The sanitation business was just one of his many successes as he eventually owned and operated a cleaning service and a landscaping company. George was a hard worker, a sharp dresser and lover of music. He didn’t always know all the words and sometimes he would make up his own lyrics, but he was a professional hummer. He was also a man of great thoughts and was always ready to share his wisdom with the next generation. God came first in George’s life; he found his trust in God early. As a young man he demonstrated his faith by being a faithful & loyal member of Bethel Baptist Church. In 1997 George left the state of Kentucky and moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia where he became a member of Fairfield Baptist Church. He also served the Dekalb County community by being employed with the Dekalb County Sanitation Department. George loved working hard and seeing the results, especially with his landscaping business, he & nature had a perfect relationship! On June 5th, 2024, God whispered to George that his job here on this earth was well done and that it was time to come to his Heavenly home! As we all know when God calls, we must answer, and George accepted. George is preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Eleanor, brother Carl, along with another brother Perry. He is survived by his children George Thornton Jr., Michael Lyles, Alphonso Clayton Mullins, Angela Thornton, Darren Lewis, Kalane White and Ryan Patrick White. Along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

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