When this year’s Atmore Area Hall of Fame class is inducted next Saturday, the late Thomas E. Jernigan will be the lone inductee from the business category of selection.

Jernigan, who founded United Chair Co., an office furniture manufacturer, as well as Marathon Realty Co., which builds and develops commercial properties, was born in Atmore in 1923 and graduated from Escambia County High School.

Jernigan served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II before returning home and attending the University of Alabama.

Jernigan settled in the Mountain Brook area before forming both United Chair and Marathon Realty, both of which still exist today.

Jernigan remained chairman and CEO of Marathon Corp. until his death in 2008. He was survived by his wife, Donna, and four children.