James "Jack" Thompson

James Jackson "Jack" Thompson departed to his heavenly home June 13, 2023. He was born to George and Devan Thompson on December 7, 1933. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Maudeen (Shipp) Thompson, son Vince of Atlanta, GA and grandson Carter of Athens, GA, sister Carrie Bell Mills, numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved caretaker Cecil Manuel. Jack graduated with an education degree from Livingston University, which is now known as the University of West Alabama. His first job was a teacher and basketball coach at Leroy (AL) High School.

A devoted public servant and patriot, Jack, like his father, was honorably discharged from the United States Army. After a stint with Farm Bureau Insurance (now Alfa), he began his career as an entrepreneur and politician, moving back to Chatom in 1968 to open Thompson Food Market. He and Maudeen operated the grocery store until 1984, when he began a career in the commercial insurance business in which he worked in for the next 30 years until he retired in his early 80s. As a grocer and humanitarian, Jack always made sure no one in Chatom went to bed hungry whether they could afford to pay their bill or not.

His commitment to public service continued from 1976 - 1992 as he served as the Mayor of Chatom for four terms. He helped improve the lives of the citizens of Chatom and Washington County through improvements to public safety, the Washington County Library, the Washington County Hospital, Washington County High School, Washington County Exceptional Children and Chatom Youth Baseball, in which the complex is named in his and Maudeen's honor. He proudly served in an executive leadership capacity with the Alabama League of Municipalities and was inducted into the Washington County Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and service.

An avid lover of The Auburn Tigers he, Vince and Carter had the pleasure of attending Auburn's national championship game in Arizona. Jack was a true renaissance man. An accomplished bass fisherman, he once landed a 14 lb. bass in Cuba. He loved good cigars in which Vince was required to send him a stash every 2 weeks from Atlanta. He had a renowned green thumb, growing and sharing vegetables, blueberries, peaches, pears and more. Jack was also a master chef, often grilling steaks and ribs to perfection, not to mention the best homemade vegetable soup in the world. He was also pretty good at 5-card stud poker and maintained a hot hand on the slots in Biloxi, not only winning 10,000 dollars once, but twice.

He was also an animal lover, always taking in and adopting stray dogs and cats, never wanting them to go without food, shelter or companionship at his beloved garden house. As for his politics, he was a "yellow dog" democrat, which means he would rather vote for a "yellow dog" than a republican. This caused many disagreements and debates over the years.

Pallbearers are Larry Hubbard, Bryan Hubbard, Norris Thornton, Lamar Dunagan, Ed Greene, Carlton Carpenter and Steve McKinnis.

Funeral Services will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Chatom Baptist Church, an institution and faith home he loved and loyally attended services for nearly 60 years, there will be a visitation one hour prior to services. Dr. Jerry Robertson officiating and Lathan Funeral Home directing. Interment will be held in The Chatom Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions to The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Mobile, P.O. Box 1095, Mobile, AL, 36633, donate.waterfrontmission.org, which Jack supported for many years.

Online condolences may be shared at www.lathanfuneralhome.com