Mr. Jessie Thornton began taking karate under Mr. Kiker in 1975 and made blackbelt on September 2, 1978. Mr. Thornton began teaching at Mr. Kiker's school as a brown belt. He opened his own school in Ringgold in 1980. Soon after that, Mr. Thornton, along with two of Kiker's other blackbelts, Chester Green and Robert Harris, bought the United Studio in Ringgold from Eddie Helmes. This school was opened and ran by Thornton and Harris until Thornton sold out to Harris in 1986. Soon after that Harris moved the Ringgold UKS to Ft. Oglethorpe and, in 1987, Mr. & Mrs. Thornton opened the UKS again in Ringgold. The studio has had three locations prior to the present location at 61 Tennessee Street.

Mr. Thornton has also owned UKS schools in Jasper, Tennessee and in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

Jessie Thornton’s United Karate Studio is family oriented. We offer karate, self-defense, and kickboxing aerobics. We also offer activities such as an annual beach trip, picnic day, as well as our Annual Day Camp and Christmas banquet.

Mr. Thornton has kicked his way throughout the world as he “grew up” in karate. As a competitor in his first 44 tournaments, he didn’t win a single match. But to show how determination plays a big role in being a champion, Thornton kicked and fought on with support and guidance from Kiker and other UKS students. At his 45th tournament, Thornton won his first match. He shouted, jumped, screamed and was so excited that he drew a crowd. No one seemed to understand why he was so excited just to win a match. Thornton says he is forever grateful that Mr. Kiker kept pushing him and didn’t give up on him. He became the national superlight weight champion black belt fighter in July of 1979.

After that time, Thornton was rated in the top ten nationally for 7 years, staying in the top 20 for other years. Thornton was promoted to black belt in September of 1978. The following year, he fought in 37 tournaments winning 22 first place trophies, 12 second place and 3 third places. He was rated 8th in the nation’s top ten that year – his first full year as a black belt competitor.

Thornton traveled quite a bit in his karate career. Some of the trips were self-sponsored; others were funded by sponsorship of teams and tournament directors. Places like Bermuda, Boston, Canada, Washington, Minnesota as well as representing the USA on a European tour in 1985. Thornton was a member of the prestigious American Airlines team in 1987 competing at many national tournaments. While on the AA Team, Thornton set a record for “fastest knockout” in Italy. The time recorded was 39 seconds.

Thornton was a member of the USA team as they won against the Canadian Team. He was a member of the NASKA team also in the early 1980s.

Thornton was inducted into the Battle of Atlanta Southeast Hall of Fame on November 22, 1997. On October 18, 2003, Thornton was recognized as a Living Legend of Sport Karate by Jerry Piddinton and Bob Wahl (a Bruce Lee Black Belt). This award recognizes Thornton’s lifetime of accomplishments as a great competitor in the arena of the Sport of karate and for making a mark on the history of the era of the blood and guts warriors. In 2004, Thornton was recognized for his contribution to the Growth of the International Amateur Kickboxing Sport Association. And at the Battle Of Atlanta in 2013, Thornton received the Joe Lewis (Father of American Kickboxing) Eternal Warrior Award.

Since Thornton’s younger years and his own personal accomplishments, Thornton has taught at his United Karate Studio in Ringgold since 1980. He has taught karate to many local youth and adults and coached those students to earn trophies, medals and national recognition of their own. He has served as coach of the USA Karate team in Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Orlando and more.

The United Karate Organization has grown to more than 30 studios throughout the southeast United States and extending to Iowa and Missouri. Thornton is a member of the Board of Directors for this organization.

Thornton has attended Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church as long as he can remember. Thornton’s father, Willie Thornton was a deacon at Mt Peria. Mr. Willie Thornton passed away when Thornton was 16 years old. Thornton grew up as the youngest of 9 children – his parents Willie and Sarah Mae Thornton moved to Ringgold from Crawford, GA in 1954.

Thornton attended Wilson School for 1st grade in 1965 and integrated to Ringgold Public School in 1966. He graduated from Ringgold High School in 1978.

Thornton himself was ordained as deacon at Mt Peria in 1998. He and his wife, Joy, attend Mt. Peria and love their church family. Thornton also sings in the choir, and the Male Chorus where he serves as President of the group.

Thornton is currently serving on the board of LIFT Ringgold, a local non-profit that creates events and opportunities for youth to be loved and known. LIFT is a Youth Center that anchors and strengthens these relationships.

Recently, Thornton has been an “extra” in two Christian movies. He was invited to both movies by two of his past Karate students. He has another opportunity scheduled soon.

Thornton continues to teach sport karate, self-defense, self-esteem, discipline and confidence to all his students in Ringgold. He also uses his studio to spread the love of Jesus.

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