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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E577-E578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JACK ALEXANDER THOMPSON OF MONTGOMERY, AL
______
HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 26, 2020
Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere
condolences to the family of Mr. Jack Alexander Thompson from
Montgomery, Alabama. Jack Thompson passed away on Sunday after a full
life of eighty-eight years. He was an upstanding citizen of our state
and a respected member of the Montgomery community.
Jack Thompson was an Alabamian through and through, as he was born in
Colbert County in 1932 and remained in the state his entire life. After
graduating from Colbert County High School, Jack Thompson married his
sweetheart, Ruth Hester, at the age of twenty. Jack and Ruth were
married for sixty-seven years and raised four wonderful children, which
led to the additional joy of having grandchildren
[[Page E578]]
and great-grandchildren. As a student, Jack dedicated his studies to
agriculture, which is evident that it played a big role in his life for
as long as he lived. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture from Auburn
University and his master's in animal science from the University of
Tennessee. If it was not clear before these degrees, it was clear
afterwards--Jack was going to make a difference in agriculture and
better the lives of many people along the way.
For the following thirty-one years Jack worked for the Auburn
University Extension Service, where he engaged with 4-H students,
Cattlemen, and Agronomy farmers in Montgomery, Elmore, and Limestone
counties. After retiring, Jack went on to own a farm in Athens, Alabama
and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture before assuming
the role of Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries for four years.
Jack also combined his two passions, agriculture and Auburn University,
and lobbied for financing to construct the Ag and Industries Thompson
Bishop Sparks Diagnostic Lab on Auburn's campus. This was quite the
undertaking, but Jack got it done, and he went on to do much more.
As a volunteer, Jack Thompson's list of service roles is incredible.
He was president of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce; Campaign
Chairman of the United Way; president of the Limestone County
Cattlemen's Association, a lifetime Director of the State Cattlemen's
Association; a lifetime member of the Athens Industrial Development
Association; and was a board member at the Salvation Army. Jack also
worked with 4-H kids in coordinating with state, district, and local
steer shows and managed livestock for what is now the Alabama National
Fair.
Jack Thompson is now survived by his four children; David Thompson,
Keith Thompson, Susan Woodham, and Janice Thompson. In addition, he is
survived by his sister, Ann Thomas, and his eleven grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren.
It is with a heavy heart for the family of Mr. Jack Thompson and the
community of Montgomery, Alabama that I recognize the life of Mr. Jack
Thompson. His legacy will live on well into the future.
____________________