Tony Thornton turned working for Jefcoat Fence Company in Pearl, Mississippi, at fifteen into being inducted into the 2026 American Fence Association (AFA) Hall of Fame.
“To be recognized by an organization that has meant so much to our industry—and to me personally—is incredibly humbling,” said Thornton, a 50+ year veteran of the fencing industry with a vast level of experience as a contractor, distributor and with manufacturing. “The fence industry has given me so much, and I am proud to have been a small part of helping it move forward. Thank you for this meaningful recognition.”
His humble beginning into the fence industry happened at age fifteen when a neighbor and family friend stopped by and was told to “get in the truck, done talked to your dad, we going to build a fence.” That day started his career. That neighbor was Mr. Jere Jefcoat, and every summer between junior high, high school and even college, Thornton worked for Jefcoat Fence Company…