John R. Thornborough

John R. Thornborough, 70, of Granville, died in his sleep early Thursday morning.  Born in Columbus in 1939, Jack enjoyed a successful career as a scientist, environmental activist, writer, entrepreneur, software developer, book publisher and real estate developer.  Jack received a master's degree in zoology from the Ohio State University in 1961 and taught biology at Denison University until 1967. He received a Ph.D. in physiology from New York Medical College in 1973 and was a professor, researcher and dean at New York Medical College and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine before returning to Ohio in 1992 to raise his family. In the 1990s, Jack wrote and edited a successful series of  books for publisher McGraw-Hill to help students prepare for medical exams. He developed some of the first software programs used by students to practice taking exams. Jack ran a wide range of businesses, including some with his brother, Steve Thornborough of Columbus. Jack's signature development was Granville's Shoppes at Seven Pines. The retail center, built around a restored 1840s farmhouse, contains a coffee shop, a dance studio, the Short Story restaurant and other businesses. Jack was a civic activist, campaigning to preserve Granville's historic character. He founded and edited The Granville Press, an influential local news website. Over his long career, Jack  restored old houses, won fiction-writing contests and earned  journalism awards. He loved to cook gourmet meals for family and friends. But more than anything, he was proud of his two daughters, Kathryn and Sarah,  and in love with his wife, Janice McLean, a psychologist and lecturer at the Ohio State University's Newark campus.   Jack was a man of enormous generosity, integrity and  joie de vivre. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.   A memorial gathering will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the College Town House at 334 E. Broadway in Granville. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society, 548 Dog Leg Road, Heath, Ohio 43056.