1 shares; Written by Richard Lucas. The community now has more than 26 miles of roads with multiple pools, hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, a wellness center, two restaurants and a pavilion overlooking the river. He will build only 23 exclusive homes on 700 acres along the Snake River. Holt was renowned as a prolific charismatic public speaker, creating in commencement ceremonies the Holt pledge for new graduates to Brag on my alma mater at every opportunity as immodestly as a grandfather brags on his grandson.. I didn't commit any fraud.. He was just a very generous, very caring and good guy, Fowler added. Thornton bought the ranch in a complicated and dazzling foreclosure sale for $52 million and 13 cents, $20 million higher than the appraised value. In 1984, he founded American Rug Craftsmen, Inc., which became the nation's largest producer of decorative floor mats. Similar to the Harps, Juanita Jezek knew she had found her new home the moment she walked through the front door. Thornton said when he approached AT&T about providing Gig service to Jasper Highlands he was quoted a price of $1.3 million to serve his mountaintop development more than three times what it ended up costing Thornton to build his own network connected to Alabama. "The property is an incredible piece of Tennessee land with the river encompassing it and multiple bluffs, creating sweeping views of the valley below," said Thornton, CEO of Thunder Enterprises. Rest in peace., RIP Thunder, you were there for many of us through the decades.. We couldn't be more excited to be kicking this project off.". "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.". "Most people would never expect for it to be so light and bright and open and clean. 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. "Try to find 7,500 acres within 20 minutes of a metropolitan city anywhere, but to find this scenic site next to such a great city like Chattanooga is about impossible," he said. Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. He began his business career selling knockoffs of oriental carpets. Half our revenue comes from readers like you, meaning we literally couldn't do this work without you. 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. 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. And if I wanted to sell them, I could. PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- John "Thunder" Thornton, a virtual legend in Pascagoula for both his football exploits and ownership of an iconic business, has died at the age of 68. Ways to get involved in the upcoming elections. Amid the pandemic in 2021, the state emerged as the top destination state for Americans retiring outside their home state, according to the Census Bureau. Fuller said he also considered a nearby mountaintop development in Marion County put together by Chattanoogan John "Thunder" Thornton and how he has had success bringing in people from around the . Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Residents say James 'Thunder' Thornton's company is using heavy-handed tactics in business disputes such as threat of arrest and court action. But Thornton said Aetna Mountain will offer the open spaces of a ranch with views of the Tennessee River gorge and other mountains all around it. Nobody has ever given away $35 million worth of property to a conservation easement before. AT&T launched their corporate hyena squad. That work resulted in a teacher retirement plan and a statewide sales tax to help finance public education. "Our costs are much less, but then I don't have to pay for 27 lobbyists in Nashville like AT&T does," Thornton quipped. And You Thought They Were UT Alumni - Our Tennessee In 1950, Holt began his 20-year UT career, first as executive assistant to the president, then as vice president from 1953 to 1959, and finally as president until 1970 when he retired. Kos Media, LLC. John C. Thornton is Founder and CEO of real estate development company Thunder Enterprises. As senator, Sasser served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee from1989 until he relinquished his seat to Frist. The Harps are among a growing number of retirees relocating to Tennessee. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Mountaintop development Jasper Highlands lifts Marion County's economy 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. Johnny, and best known as "Thunder" Thornton was owner of "Thunder's Tavern" on Market Street. Only these diamonds swim in pristine waters. Thornton said he hopes to have a new and wider road up to the top of Aetna mountain completed and utilities available in about a year, although the existing roadway up the mountain can be used to begin to develop some sites. The main entrance road up the mountain will be built near the Haletown exit and be visible from Interstate 24, Thornton said. Carol Fincher, executive director at Red Stone Estates, another independent living community in the Chattanooga area, says prospective tenants often don't feel old enough to live in a senior community. About 200 of the 1,300 lots are now occupied with residents in homes, and more than 100 other houses in Jasper Highlands are under construction. John C. Thornton's House - Virtual Globetrotting Every place his eye falls he owns. For Julie and Dave Harp, it was the sweeping views of the Tennessee River that sealed the deal. Before Everlan, he had started to suffer from loneliness. It had been expected that it would take 10-12 years to sell all the lots at Jasper Highlands. Thornton, along with company president Dane Bradshaw, first began work on Jasper Highlands more than decade ago in 2012. 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. "There's about 200 acres of land represented in seven tracts that have already been mapped out," he says. Ultimately, the development is expected to top $750 million in investment, with most homes ranging from $400,000 to $2 million in value. Andy Holt was born in 1904 in West Tennessee and came from a family of educators. His first novel, The Orchard Keeper, published in 1965, won the William Faulkner Award. A 2003 visit to El Paso with his young son inspired his 2006 post-apocalyptic novel The Road. American Rug Craftsmen was a supplier to Wal-Mart, and under John's leadership, was . "There's about 200 acres of land represented in seven tracts that have already been mapped out," he says. 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. Funeral services are set for Sunday at OBryant-OKeefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. Knoxville, TN 37996 Our Tennessee He was a bit rough-and-tumble. "People just wanted to have their own space and start planning retirement and getting out of big cities.". John C. Thornton's House in Chattanooga, TN (Bing Maps) Tennessee Developer - John 'Thunder' Thornton | TNLand Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. 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. 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. Eventually he. Seniors can continue to live an active lifestyle, without the worry. John 'Thunder' Thornton wins $15.4M judgment against Mike Ross All rights reserved. That was the premier place to play in the 80s and 90s, for sure, Blackman said. (Richard Lucas may be contacted at r [email protected].) The complaint says the development, which is owned by John "Thunder" Thornton of Chattanooga, is charging water rates not approved by the commission. , . He has also served on boards at UT Chattanooga and is an active civic leader in Chattanooga. Dickey found her niche on stage and screen playing harsh characters that have earned her the title of reigning queen of Southern gothic in TV roles such as True Blood, Breaking Bad, Justified, My Name is Earl and Christy. John "Thunder" Thornton has recently purchased 7,400 acres atop Aetna Mountain, near Haletown, to develop. Since then, Thornton and Bradshaw say more than 250 lots have already been sold. Sasser then served as U.S. ambassador to China from 1996 to 1999 under President Bill Clinton. Life Trustees - UTC Magazine Thunder Thornton, Thunder Enterprises: Profile and Biography One man in Tennessee isn't waiting for his corrupted Thunder Enterprises bought Jasper Mountain in January 2008, shortly before the Great Recession slowed the housing market. He has sold 16 of the 23 tracts that will be developed. State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, chief sponsor of the bill to allow municipal broadband service across Tennessee, blamed pressure by AT&T's 27 paid lobbyists in Nashville for killing her proposals. 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. Wilson moved back to Chattanooga from Tuscaloosa, Alabama after the birth of his first grandchild. All Rights Reserved, Tennessean buys chunk of Wyoming, aims to give it away. The Marion County Planning Commission recently approved rezoning for 390 residential lots in the first phase of the new River Gorge Ranch. Amabassador. John C. Thornton's House in Chattanooga, TN (Google Maps) Unlike Jasper Highlands, River Gorge Ranch will include sidewalks and bike paths through most of the developed areas. ourtennessee@tennessee.edu, A History of Generous Giving Means a More Prosperous Tennessee Future. April 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. $1 Billion Fly-in Resort and Residential Community Planned in Bledsoe He figured that the property's real value was around $100 million, maybe more, because land in this tiny area, only 50 miles long and about 15 miles wide, is at a premium. Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old, helping to swell the number of seniors in America to new record highs. In his earlier years, he had served as the minister of music at his church, which always brought him joy. Developer wants to sell mountaintop system for $2.39 million to Tennessee American. Like many of the luxury senior apartments, Red Stone offers a variety of amenities -- restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, transportation and roll-in shower options wide enough for wheelchair use. Thorntons prolific entrepreneurial leadership earned him induction into UT Chattanoogas Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame. https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/john-thornton/, Pendergrass Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Library, Torch Night: Symbolically Passing the Torch, Open Library of Humanities Partnership Supports Open Sharing of Research, Maggie Longmire sings original ballads of Tennessee coal country, The Monica Abbott Story: Softball legend to sign books, April 21 & 23, Cartoonist Charlie Daniel inducted into East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, Middle School and High School Students Will Display Their Data Artistry, Henry Luce Foundation Grant to Fund Programs Highlighting Beauford Delaney Papers. They were subsequently sued by Comcast because Comcast is a monopoly and not unlike this guy. 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. 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. Developer Thornton said of the huge new tract, The property is an incredible piece of Tennessee land with the river encompassing it and multiple bluffs, creating sweeping views of the valley below. Hes always had a soft heart, Maxwell said. The settlement is contingent on the sale of the Marion . "Neighbors come by to say hello, or go to dinner," she says. I remember catching something on TV a couple years back highlighting John "Thunder" Thornton's massive 25,000 SF home. Her family agreed it was time for her to come live close by. The federal government owns 97 percent of the land in and around Jackson Hole. From the beginning, people spoke to him and made him feel welcome. AKIN, PEYTON KYLE , . An extremely popular dance and night club the Tavern had to be closed upon Mr. Thornton's death in 2019. The 8,893-acre mountain community at Jasper Highlands is currently home to about 350 residents. "From a trend standpoint, it used to be that you always had to have golf courses and build around the course," says Bradshaw. He was a character, said former Pascagoula police officer Chuck Fowler of his friend of some 30 years. That year at homecoming, he was invited to run through the T along with Vol football players before the start of the game. "That's why I think Jasper Highlands was so successful, and we hope Aetna Mountain will be as well.". "There's a lot of camaraderie. 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. Related Thornton Center and Haslam College of Business Join Forces for Big Orange Combine Nov 2 / Thornton Center 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. Unlike Jasper Highlands, where the developers had to build their own high-speed internet service, EPB serves Aetna Mountain with its Gig internet and power connections. I was googling My name too see how many others there were in this country. 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. He's glad that the judgment was entered. Black Creek is a more conventional, denser development with city sewers. He earned the bachelors degree in business management from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1975. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. 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). He traveled with Chinese president Jiang Semin on his historic visit to the United States. Join Facebook to connect with John Thunder Thornton and others you may know. He graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 1951 and completed one year at UT Knoxville before he joined the U.S. Air Force. Some discovered their passions that would carry them to fame and fortune. Links: www.thunderenterprises.com 15,508 views 7.5 ( 17 votes) Categories Buildings > Homes - Celebrity - Business Comments Policies Please log in if you don't want to post anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). They discovered a show put on by Ideal Living Magazine, offering promotional materials for retirement communities throughout the country. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Bradshaw to 'captain' Thunder Enterprises | News | thedailytimes.com 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. Follow him on Twitter @dflessner1. Dane Bradshaw, president of Jasper Highlands, said, Weve continued to see record-breaking sales in 2021 as we did last year. Bill Gates claimed the title of the richest person in the world for the fourth year in a row and for the. But the thing she likes best is the sense of community. In an interview Tuesday, Ross said he couldn't afford an attorney, and said the jury deadlocked. 1,121, with his net worth totaling $1.6 billion. Senator. He smiles. "I think the draw of our county is the beauty of this area with the river and our mountains, combined with a very low property tax rate and cost of living," said Marion County Mayor David Jackson. "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.