Gary Thornton retired in 1997 with the rank of Captain after a thirty-year Coast Guard career. His passion for music and skiing travelled with him to Colorado where he established residency in the Vail Valley. On response to a Vail Valley Foundation funding opportunity, Gary discovered Rocky Ridge Music online, developed and promoted a scholarship program partnership which annually sponsored two summer music camp students from Eagle County. With trumpet and trombone skills, he led an Eagle County “First Notes” elementary school music program and two middle school music programs. He spearheaded the formation of an adult “Alpine Winds” ensemble and “Alpine Brass” quintet playing lead trumpet in each.
Over twenty-eight years, Gary has performed vital development roles with the Vail Jazz Foundation including Jazz Festival Production Manager, Advisory Board member and Marketing Committee member.
Since shifting home base to Florida in 2022, Gary has led Rocky Ridge marketing outreach efforts with various Colorado and Florida festivals and schools. He provides Taps service for many military funerals and patriotic events such as Memorial Day. He routinely plays trumpet solos, in addition to the regular Taps, for daily sunsets at a Florida community gathering site overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Gary’s son Kristofer and daughter-in-law Libby are Cast Members at Disney World in Orlando.