John Stuart Thornton (born in 1932) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, serving from 1990 to 1998.
Ordained deacon and priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming in 1962, he served as curate of St. Peter's Church in Sheridan.
In 1982, he and his wife, Jan, moved to a small farm near Scio, Oregon, from which he served as vicar of Christ the King on the Santiam in Stayton.
In 1990, he was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho and retired in 1998.
In his retirement, Thornton has written four books and served churches in Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington.