Charles E. Thornton was inducted into the the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 1991
Charles E. Thornton has been instrumental in the development of the city’s oil industry. In 1985 he retired as president and chief operating officer of Reading and Bates Corporation. He has led the boards of the University of Tulsa, Gilcrease Museum and the United Way and has received many awards including the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.