Obituary

John D. Thornton, Webb's City executive, 89

The city native began with a produce store called the Hitching Post.

By SCOTT TAYLOR HARTZELL
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 30, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- John D. Thornton, former merchant, state meat inspector and Webb's City executive, died Wednesday (Jan. 29, 2003) at home after a long illness. He was 89.

Mr. Thornton was born here in 1913, just 21 years after the city's incorporation. After attending St. Petersburg High School, he opened a produce store at 1622 Central Ave. called the Hitching Post.

Produce from Largo, Palmetto and Ellenton filled his store. He was among the first in town to sell watermelon by the slice.

During World War II, his Hitching Post was the city's source for bananas. By 1945, he had moved his business to 1640 Central Ave. and added Mexican novelties to his inventory. About then, he was driving the city's first new Ford convertible.

In 1949, he sold his Hitching Post and became the head of "Doc" Webb's frozen food department at "the World's Most Unusual Drugstore." He was later promoted to assistant manager and then manager of groceries. When he left Webb's in 1966 after 17 years, he was the vice president and division manager of the food department.

Mr. Thornton retired in 1977, after serving 11 years as a meat inspector for the Florida Department of Agriculture. Gardening, painting and talking about St. Petersburg's past from his Carleton Arms apartment at 6735 31st Way S filled his retirement.

"I love St. Petersburg," he once said. "I doubt there's many people (who have) been born here and been here as long as I have."

Mr. Thornton was a member of the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge 283 and the Retail Grocers Association of Florida.

A twin brother, police Officer James Thornton, was killed in 1937 in the line of duty. A year later, Mr. Thornton married Georgia Thompson. On their first date, he escorted her to noted pioneer Jay Starkey's farm. "She liked it, so she married me," Mr. Thornton would say.

Survivors in addition to his wife of 64 years include a son, John D. Jr., Brooksville; a daughter, Linda S. Debs, St. Petersburg; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 5995 Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) St. S. Beach Memorial Chapel, St. Pete Beach, is in charge.

-- Information from Times files was used in this obituary.

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