Raymond "Ray" Hoyt Thornton Jr. was born on July 16, 1928, in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas.
Thornton earned a B.A. from Yale University. After serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, he earned a law degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
He began a political career when he was elected the state attorney general. Later, he served three terms in the US House of Representatives and helped draft articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon. In 1984, Thornton was appointed the president of the University of Arkansas System. After his tenure, he was elected to a term as an Arkansas Supreme Court Justice.
Thornton passed away on April 12, 2016.
#1: Composite image of early photo of Ray Thornton and still frame from Pryor Center video interview
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Teachers in Leola Schools, from left to right: Albertice Shearer, Ruby Sharp, Wilma Stephens Thornton, Superintendent Raymond Thornton, De Woody Rhodes, and Rose Rhodes, 1928
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Wilma Stephens Thornton with children Ray Thornton and Betty Lou Thornton in the front yard at Jack "Papa" Stephens; Prattsville, Arkansas, 1934
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: From left to right, back row: Raymond Thornton, Ethel "Mama" Stephens, and Wilma Stephens Thornton; front row: Mike Stephens and Nancy Lowe
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Elementary school attended by Ray Thornton; building on right formerly the Missionary Baptist College, Sheridan, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Wilma Stephens Thornton, mother of Ray Thornton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: From left to right: Betty Jo (Mann) Thornton, spouse; Wilma Stephens Thornton, mother; Ray Thornton; (seated) Raymond Thornton Sr., father
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Ray Thornton with Sam Erwin
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Book jacket for A. J. Stephens: As Remembered By His Family by Ray Thornton, published by August House / Little Rock, 1983
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: Inside back leaf of book jacket for A. J. Stephens: As Remembered By His Family by Ray Thornton, published by August House / Little Rock, 1983
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Inside front leaf of book jacket for A. J. Stephens: As Remembered By His Family by Ray Thornton, published by August House / Little Rock, 1983
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: Ethel "Mama" and Jack "Papa" Stephens with their first child, Albert, and his dog, Ponto, 1905
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: The Cora Pumphrey Benning house in Prattsville, Arkansas, ca. 1909; photographed in 1975
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: Building in Prattsville built in 1911; located across the road from the general store later operated by Albert and Helen Stephens; builders pictured from left to right: Mr. Allen; Mr. Bob Allen, son; Mr. Sanford; Mr. Andrew York; and Dr. C. F. Cole
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: Leta Halbert on the foot log across Halbert Creek; Prattsville, Arkansas, 1921
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: Jack "Papa" Stephens (center), one of Sheriff Ed McDonald's deputies, joins in exhibiting this large moonshine still confiscated in Grant County, Arkansas, 1922
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: Prattsville High School Class of 1924-25; last row, fifth from right: Wilton "Witt" Stephens; third row, fourth from right: Wilma Stephens; others pictured include Principal Brother Will Dougan, Milburn Keedy, Louis Barnett, Vernon Hope, Paul Pumphrey, Vivian Kemp, Beulah Irvin, Rommie Glover, Bill Halbert, Rommie Benning, John Cole, Calvin Ritchie, Jim Bob Dougan, Babe Benning, Iro Keesee, Sherman Hope, Walter Pumphrey, Christine Keesee, and Imogene Hope
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: Albert Jennings Stephens hunting, 1928
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: Albert Jennings Stephens and Betty Lou Thornton at store in Prattsville, Arkansas, 1933
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: Tax Commission Committee-49th General Assembly, July 25, 1933; seated fifth from left: Jack "Papa" Stephens, grandfather of Ray Thornton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: Friends inspecting Jack Stephens's Model T; Prattsville, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: Jack T. Stephens as a page at the Arkansas General Assembly, 1935
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: Lois Stephens driving "Buckles," Witt Stephens's first car, which he paid for by selling buckles; in background is the Lee Barnett house in Prattsville, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: Betty Lou Stephens Thornton helps Keeling Lowe plow cotton on the Stephens's farm, 1937
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#25: Harmony Baptist Church in Prattsville, Arkansas, finished in 1928, where Jack "Papa" Stephens served as a deacon and member of the building committee that raised money to build the church
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#26: From left to right: Jack T. Stephens, Mike Stephens, Albert Stephens, Jack "Papa" Stephens, and Witt Stephens in front of the family home; Prattsville, Arkansas, 1946
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#27: Jack "Papa" Stephens, back row, second from right; Oliver Stephens, back row, far right; Onie Stephens Jones, front row, far right; Emma Shelburn Stephens Glover, front row, second from right; Della Shelburn Stephens Champlin, in center with scarf; Nora Stephens Horton, front row, second from left
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#28: The Arkansas Delegation Breakfast at the Hotel Statler Hilton in Los Angeles during the Democratic National Convention in July 1960; Jack "Papa" Stephens and Ray Thornton are seated at the front table; among those pictured are Senator Olen Hendrix, Judge Jim Malone, Democratic National Committeeman Tom Harper, Representative Paul Van Dalsem, Bill Smith, Sam Boyce, Fred Pickens, Leon Cattlett, and Reed Thompson
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#29: Jack and Ethel Stephens, grandfather and grandmother of Ray Thornton, known in the family as "Papa" and "Mama"
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#30: Jack T. Stephens and his father, Jack "Papa" Stephens
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#31: From left to right: Jack T. Stephens, Jack "Papa" Stephens, and Wilton "Witt" Robert Stephens
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#32: Nancy Lowe Baker and her mother, Lois Stephens Lowe
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#33: Wilton "Witt" Robert Stephens, uncle of Ray Thornton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#34: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#35: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#36: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#37: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#38: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#39: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#40: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#41: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#42: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#43: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#44: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#45: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ray Thornton; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2011
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
