Second generation Repossession agency owner and Eagle passes away

Steven David Thornton

Greenland, AR, 1958 – 2021

Second generation repossession agency owner, Steven David Thornton, age 63, of Greenland, Arkansas, passed away Monday December 20, 2021. Friends report that he was in the process of a voluntary repossession of a motorcycle when the debtor found him on the ground having difficulty breathing. David as he was known to many, was the owner of Tri-State Recovery in northwest Arkansas.

David was born April 7, 1958, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Alert Recovery owner and longtime agency veteran, two-time ARA President and one-time TFA president Don Thornton who passed away in 2009, and his mother Patricia Butterfield Thornton.

David (upper left) with fellow Eagle XX Members

David graduated with the Class of 1976 from McClellan High School in Little Rock, Ark., and went on to work for his father’s business, Alert Recovery. Not long after, he moved to northwest Arkansas, he opened his own business, Tri-State Recovery, where he was a valued member of Eagle Group USA, member and Board member of Time Finance Adjusters and the American Recovery Association. He also met the love of his life, Lisa Hankins.

David and Lisa settled in Greenland, Arkansas, where they raised three wonderful children and were an integral part of the community. David found joy in providing for all those around him, though he wouldn’t admit it, and was a fiercely loyal friend who would be there for you at a moment’s notice. His hard work showed in the projects he took part in, such as the Washington County Civic League Baseball program and for the Greenland school district.

When he wasn’t providing for others, he was most happy being “Pops” to, and spending time with, his five beautiful grand girls, who were the joy of his life. He loved spending time out at the family farm. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, stock car races, or boating on the lake with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Thornton; one daughter, Tori Thornton of Greenland; two sons, Zach Thornton and his wife, Maddie, of Prairie Grove, and Craig Thornton and his wife, Courtney, of Greenland; two sisters, Donna Thornton and her partner, Bob Gunning, of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Debbie Samra of Fayetteville; two brothers, Jeff Thornton of Benton, and Patrick Thornton and his wife, Anna, of Benton; and five grand girls, Ava, Ashlyn, Harper, Finley, and Rosie.

Memorial service will be Thursday, December 30th, at 2 p.m. CST at the Greenland High School Gymnasium under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial contribution may be made to Greenland Public Library. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com